Federal Circuit Court Law Clerk From a Fourth Tier Law School with the Dream of Working in a Major City | BCGSearch.com

Federal Circuit Court Law Clerk From a Fourth Tier Law School with the Dream of Working in a Major City

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A senior lawyer for a federal appellate District judge in a small market wanted to relocate to a major market and work as an associate. Normally, this would not seem like something that would be that difficult. In this case, however, this attorney had gone to a fourth-tier law school and did not have any law firm experience. Like many law clerks, this attorney had been more of a “career clerk” than a one-time clerk for a judge. This meant that the attorney’s background made it seem like they were avoiding working in a law firm and were more of a government employee.
Federal Circuit Court Law Clerk From a Fourth Tier Law School with the Dream of Working in a Major City

Despite this apparent drawback, the attorney continued to clerk for the federal appellate judge. There are not a lot of federal appeals clerks, and regardless of the law school an attorney attends, being a federal clerk is always something an employer will find impressive. Also, this particular attorney had a high degree of enthusiasm and was very excited about the possibility of leaving the world market in which they worked to live and practice in a major US market. This enthusiasm is infectious, and when I see attorneys like this, there’s nothing more that I want than to help them achieve their dreams.
 
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes

To market this candidate, I had to cut a wide swath of firms in the East Coast market this attorney was interested in. Because the attorney was clerking, I needed to look at not only openings but also firms that I knew of which previously hired federal appellate clerks, some of whom are still on staff. There are law firms that respect the value of clerkships and are eager to hire people who have held clerkships.
 
Because the attorney was interested in a large law firm, I had to be careful about not contacting firms with centralized recruiting systems more than once in various cities. A centralized recruiting system means that the law firm will see the candidate’s application depending on which location they’re interested in. So, for example, if an attorney is interested in Washington DC and New York this would be reflected in the law firms database. Conversely, many law firms do not use centralized databases for their recruiting, and this means these law firms run each office individually and do not know if the candidate is applying to one office or another. From a practical standpoint, law firms that do not use centralized recruiting systems because the candidate will typically get looked at by each office and its departments. The candidate will not be evaluated by only one person in the firm. This gives them twice as many options.
 
In the case of my candidate, I was able to get the candidate a position at a firm that matches exactly what they were seeking. To overcome the obstacles of the candidate's background, I spoke with over hundred law firms in a three-week spam. The East Coast, Washington DC and New York City are very competitive markets where it can be difficult to get a position. Despite this, my candidate was able to get a position with a top law firm that typically does not hire candidates from the law school this candidate attended.
 
Also, before this attorney started to work with me, the attorney sent their resume to almost every large law firm they found online in which they had been unable to secure interviews. When I became involved, I marketed the candidate to several law firms and sold the candidate in a way they had not been able to sell themselves.


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About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.


About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.

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