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Junior Litigator Laterals from a Solo Practitioner to a Solid Mid-Sized Firm

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We are finding that 2016 law school graduates are just starting to be marketable now. I have been working with a 2016 graduate since the end of October, and have only very recently placed him. He is currently at a very small firm in Los Angeles (practically a solo practitioner's office), and was looking to make an upward move in his career to a bigger firm. We did get him an interview almost immediately after submitting him in October, but the firm's feedback was that while they really liked him, his experience was too limited and for too short of a period of time.
Junior Litigator Laterals from a Solo Practitioner to a Solid Mid-Sized Firm

Only in January did we start getting this candidate several interviews, at one mid-sized firm and even two Big Law firms in Los Angeles and Orange County. Of these latter three firms, the midsized firm was the first to reach out wanting to interview my candidate. Only after we had scheduled his second in-person interview did the two Big Law firms show up. Unfortunately, the Big Law firms were screening several people, and their process was extended. By the time my candidate got an offer at the mid-sized firm, he had only had first screener interviews with the two Big Law firms. While my candidate was excited at the idea of working at a Big Law firm, he recognized that the mid-sized firm was already a big step up (in terms of both prestige and salary), and he had already put his two weeks notice in with his current firm, so he couldn't afford to turn down his offer with the mid-sized firm in the hope that one of the Big Law firms would work out. It was too much of a risk.

 
This candidate taught me several lessons. Firstly, 2016 candidates are just now starting to get traction. This candidate is a general commercial litigator at a small firm, and his applications only really started to pick up in February. Secondly, it is helpful to apply broadly. This candidate allowed me to submit him to all sort of firms, from very small to Big Law, and we were able to get him interviews at two mid-sized firms and two Big Law firms. He did not get disheartened when we didn't get him traction for the first several months, but kept approving firms, realizing that he would only become more marketable as the time passed. Thirdly, timing sometimes doesn't work out. The candidate would have, of course, preferred to go to one of the Big Law firms that he had gotten interviews at, both for prestige and salary reasons, but he recognized that the mid-sized firm was already a great opportunity for him, and he didn't want to jeopardize it. Fourthly, it's a good idea to wait and put in your two weeks notice only after everything is 100% signed and sealed with the firm at which you're accepting the offer. My candidate felt compelled to accept the mid-sized firm offer, partially because he had already put in his two weeks notice at his current firm. Had this not been the case, we may have been able to either turn down the offer with the mid-sized firm, or extend the acceptance deadline in order to see what happened with the Big Law firms.

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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