I recently worked with an income partner from a major New York law firm who was interested in relocating to a smaller market. Here are a couple of reasons why this move was possible:
The candidate's background is extremely impressive. He has strong credentials; he graduated from a Top 10 law school with solid grades. He also went to a top college and majored in Finance.
The candidate spent his entire career with Am Law 100 firms in New York, where he gained in depth experience in a niche practice area, specifically finance, leveraged finance, and commercial lending transactions. He spent the last 7 years with a top firm, where he eventually earned a spot as income partner. As a general rule, New York trained attorneys do very well when moving to smaller job markets.
- This case highlights the importance of a strategic resume, and senior attorneys can learn more in Resumes for Senior Attorneys: What Changes After Five Years?.
The candidate was a loyal employee who received superior reviews from the partners he worked with. He joined his firm when most of his practice group moved from his first firm. He worked with some of the partners for his entire career and was able to secure outstanding references from them when he interviewed.
The candidate had a compelling reason for relocating. He wished to leave New York for another city with a better cost of living. He was looking in several geographic areas and had strong ties to Atlanta. He has family in the area and close friends in the city. A strong connection to a city is essential when relocating; otherwise firms may question your commitment to the move and suspect you may leave again if things do not work out the way you want.
The candidate left his firm voluntarily, in excellent standing, and had a great relationship with the firm. He left his firm before starting his job search because he wanted to travel before settling down long term. He knew he wanted to leave the New York area, so he decided to travel before his move. He was ready to start his search in earnest once he returned from his travels.
The candidate had an open mind. He was flexible regarding title because he did not have a book of business to bring to his next firm. He was also willing to take a salary cut for the right firm, especially if his new city has a better cost of living than New York. His main focus was finding the right position that would allow him to work toward partnership at some point.
So we began his search. We spoke at great length about his experience, and what he was looking for in his next position and new firm. We drafted his resume to focus on his niche experience, starting with a summary of his practice focus, types of clients, examples of work, and industry experience, and then listing firms, educational background, and other legal activities. We also included a separate deal sheet that included three pages of examples of each type of work he did. The resume and deal sheet demonstrated that the candidate is an expert in his field.
We then targeted firms that had strong practice groups in the candidate's field. We looked at firm openings, searched for firms that have looked for similar candidates in the past, and researched firms with strong practice groups in the field. While Atlanta is a smaller market than New York, there are great opportunities for finance attorneys. We submitted the candidate directly to several firms, and sent feelers to others who we thought might be looking for someone like our candidate.
Our candidate immediately received interest from an Am Law 25 firm in Atlanta who was looking for an attorney just like our candidate. They had a job posting for a more junior corporate associate. However, they also happened to be looking for an experienced finance attorney to support several partners in the firm. It was a perfect match!
After speaking with the head of the practice group in Atlanta, several other partners in the Atlanta office and other offices in the firm, and a couple of associates, the candidate received an offer to join the firm as counsel, with the possibility of partnership sometime in the next few years. The offer was exactly what the candidate was looking for. It allowed him to continue practicing in his field with a major, multinational firm, while working toward partnership with a great group of attorneys.
The search demonstrates experienced candidates in niche practice areas can make lateral moves later in their career. It is also always smart to target firms with a strong practice group in your field and reach out to as many firms as possible, even if they do not have an active posting. The candidate had great, specialized experience, which firms often look for opportunistically. The candidate was open regarding title and flexible on salary. Ultimately, his focus was finding the perfect fit and we did just that.
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.
