This candidate is a 2016 graduate of a strong law school in Los Angeles. She has been at two firms since her graduation from law school, both boutique, one in Los Angeles and one in SF. After graduating from law school, she decided to pursue entertainment law at a small firm in LA, and was doing both entertainment litigation and soft IP litigation. However, this candidate is from the Bay Area and wanted to move home, and so she lateraled to another small firm, and switched to defense-side Labor & Employment litigation. This candidate was at her first firm for about a year, and has been at her current firm for about a year and a half, so she only has a year and a half of relevant Labor & Employment experience. She also focuses on public entity defense, in particular public school districts.
It can be challenging to work with candidates who have made a practice group switch, as firms often don't know what to do with these types of candidates, and what class year to bring them on as. However, Labor & Employment (defense-side) is one of the strongest practice areas in California if not the strongest practice area, and so I had a feeling that this candidate would get traction, even despite her 1.5 years of relevant experience and 1 year of somewhat related but not entirely relevant experience.
I spoke with this candidate last Monday and conducted a full intake of her. She wanted to lateral to a mid-sized or larger Labor & Employment firm or a firm with a strong Labor & Employment practice, whose reputation would give her the best chance of either lateraling to an even larger firm in a couple of years or of going in-house. I sent her firms to review and approve on Tuesday, and she approved only a few firms the same day, including several Big Law firms as well as strong specialty Labor & Employment firms. She did approve one mid-sized Labor & Employment firm that specializes in public entity defense, and in particular school districts, which is exactly what she currently does. Although her goal is to land at a larger firm than this mid-sized firm, and to practice in private defense as well as public entity defense, I explained to her that this firm would be a great stepping stone to either a Big Law firm or a larger specialty Labor & Employment firm like Littler Mendelson or Fisher Phillips in a year or two.
I submitted this candidate to the handful of firms that she approved last Tuesday, and because I have close contacts / deep ties to the mid-sized public entity Labor & Employment defense firm (at which I have placed two other candidates), I sent them a tailored email with her submission materials, highlighting what a perfect match she'd be for their firm (given her public entity defense experience with school districts). The firm responded within an hour or two asking to interview this candidate, and we set the in-person interview for last Thursday, two days later.
As expected, this candidate wowed her interviewers in her interview, and sure enough, within a couple of hours we already had her offer letter! I think that this firm expedited things with this candidate because she was leaving on an international trip the next day, last Friday, and they wanted to get her the offer letter before she left.
This placement reinforced a couple of ideas to me: 1) firms can move very fast if the candidate has perfect experience for them, 2) Labor & Employment (defense-side) continues to be extremely marketable in California, 3) a tailored email to an inside / close connection can help, and 4) a practice group switch does not have to be the death knell for a candidate.
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
