This particular firm reached out to us more than a year ago, in March 2018, seeking an experienced plaintiff-side Wage & Hour Class Action attorney for several cases that had come in (the Partner focuses on consumer class actions himself). At that time, I had found a great candidate for the Partner who was at a competitor firm, but the candidate ended up going in another direction, joining a mediation firm. After things fell through with my candidate, the firm went dormant for about a year. However, the Partner I think really liked me and really liked the candidate that I had found for him the first time around, so when his need became urgent again, he reached out to me directly, the following May, asking about a couple of candidates that I had submitted to him over the past year. Unfortunately, these couple of candidates were no longer interested, but the Partner then decided to do something that no other client firm has done for me before - he gave me a list of about twelve or thirteen attorneys to contact at a competitor firm, essentially doing the dirty work for me and ensuring that anyone that I would contact, he would be interested in interviewing. I reached out to all of these attorneys directly at their firms, on LinkedIn and through our company database (a lot of these attorneys were already on our company's radar from past interactions with them). Of these twelve or thirteen attorneys, two responded that they were interested.
The candidate that ended up getting the offer is Class of 2012, at a small but well-respected plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firm on the West Side of LA, top 20 law school, has been with his current firm for more than four years and was previously a Legal Counsel for a company. Interestingly enough, the Partner was a lot more interested in the credentials and experience of the other attorney that expressed interest through me, but this other attorney took more than a week to respond back to me, saying that he was interested in speaking with the Partner, and by then the Partner was already in the final stages with the candidate that ended up getting the offer. This goes to show that in your lateral law firm search, it is important for you or your Recruiter to act quickly, and approve firms quickly. It can be helpful to jump on an opening as soon as it becomes available, so that you are one of the first resumes that the firm considers. In this case, the Partner had a strong sense of morality, and he did not feel right about backtracking with the candidate that ended up getting the offer at such a late stage in the process.
The candidate was offered a base of $200K, with a generous billable hours bonus structure and merit bonus on top of this (he was making around $175K total comp at his prior firm, so this was a very good offer for him). After working out the details of his benefits with the Partner, he accepted. From submission to offer acceptance, this placement took about two weeks.
This placement teaches us two important lessons: 1) if a firm really trusts a Recruiter, the firm will even tell the Recruiter which candidates to contact about a particular opening, and the candidate knows that if he or she decides to interview with the firm, he or she is much likelier to get the offer, as the firm has already vetted the resume, and 2) it can be helpful to approve firms or express interest in a firm quickly through a Recruiter, as firms like this one sometimes want to move very fast, and you may miss the boat, even if you only wait a week to respond. The age-old premise holds true here - if you snooze, you may lose in your lateral law firm search!
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.
