When I asked what the issue was, the attorney told me that they were not as careful with their work product as they should be and made careless mistakes such as forgetting commas, and other similar things that were non-consequential in nature— but were not something that made the attorney necessarily a good fit for big firm practice. At the time, the legal market for litigation attorneys in Washington DC was not strong. Moreover, this attorney also did not have the best credentials, yet had nonetheless managed to be hired by a large law firm.
One of the things that made this attorney very easy to work with was that they put their faith in the placement process and would carefully review every position they were sent. The attorney was sent every new position that I could find in the areas they were interested in and constantly would review these positions and approve them each day they were sent. Approving positions that the recruiter sends is a very important part of being a successful candidate. Attorneys that do not approve positions put themselves at a disadvantage because they do not have access to as many opportunities. This attorney was initially able to get an interview with a couple of large law firms, but he still was not a fit. The attorney was not comfortable with the way the large law firms interacted with him. He was clearly suitable for a much different sort of practice—and interested in this sort of practice.
The attorney and I spoke for some time about what would be the best route for his career. Large law firms were very similar; however, they also paid a great deal of money. The attorney was willing to accept a salary of more than half of what he was receiving at the large law firm and told me that he would much prefer a salary that was lower than to work in a large law firm. Understanding work-life balance is a complicated calculation when working with attorneys. In some cases, an attorney may be seeking fewer hours—but that is often not something they will get when they go to a smaller firm. In other cases, the reasons for seeking a smaller firm can be cultural, they can be related to work style and they could also be related to the sorts of clients the attorney wants to represent. Here, this attorney was not as concerned with the hours as they were working in an environment that did not strike them as uptight, extremely detail oriented and which would allow them to interact with smaller clients and in court, and spend less time in front of the computer.
While these may sound like difficult goals, in reality, what this attorney sought was to work in a law firm similar to most law firms in the United States. We need to remember that the largest law firms are typically only a small subsection of where attorneys around the United States work. In contrast, most attorneys work in smaller law firms where the work style is much different, they are able to get a lot of client contact and people are not as paranoid about things like a missing comma. This was what this attorney wanted and I respected that.
I got to work, making sure I was the only person able to locate opportunities within smaller law firms for this attorney. We worked together for several months and I was able to find several great opportunities for the attorney. The problem was not the attorney approving the jobs, the problem was that law firms did not understand why he would want to take more than a 50% pay cut to work in a less prestigious firm without the sort of support that he was receiving in his current position. It took a lot of convincing for me to explain to the smaller law firms his interests and the reasons that he would like to interview with them. After hitting several dead ends, I was able to get some firms interested in speaking with the attorney and after interviewing he hit it off and felt very comfortable with one of the law firms. The attorney had not felt comfortable with many of the other firms because he felt the same sort of rigid personalities and culture that he’d experienced within his previous law firm.
The attorney ultimately took a position paying just over half of what he was making at the major law firm. He was very excited about the firm and quickly accepted an offer once it was extended. After starting at the firm, he contacted us and was extremely thankful for us having found him the opportunity. While most attorneys are interested in making more money. We have found attorneys are increasingly interested in the culture and lifestyle of the firms that they are joining.
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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:
- Immigration Law
- Workers Compensation
- Insurance
- Family Law
- Trust and Estate
- Municipal law
- And many more...
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.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
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.
