I recently worked with just such a candidate - a 2017 graduate of a Top 14 law school, who had been clerking on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida since her graduation from law school, for almost two years. She didn't have any remarkable or noteworthy achievements from law school on her resume - no Law Journal, no Moot Court, no Honors, no Clinics, etc. She had summered at one firm in Florida her 2L summer, but in Corporate / Trusts & Estates rather than Litigation. She is also diverse, and speaks another language fluently.
We started applying this candidate at the end of September, to all types of firms under the sun in Los Angeles - boutique, mid-sized and Big Law firms. The initial challenges with her were 1) she didn't have the CA bar, and wasn't taking it until February 2019, 2) she was located in Florida, and a lot of smaller firms, but even some bigger firms, aren't going to want to deal with a relocating candidate who doesn't have the bar and 3) she had specific geographic constraints within LA, that got more specific as the time went on. To the first point, I think that it helped that we could say that she was registered for and was definitely sitting for the CA bar in February, but even so, some firms probably didn't seriously consider her because the CA bar is very tough and a lot of people do not pass on their first try, so many firms really wants to see that a person passed before seriously considering them. To the second point, firms, including mid-sized and Big Law firms but especially smaller firms, prefer not to pay for a candidate to fly out to interview, nor to have to wait until the candidate relocates for them to be able to start with the firm. Certain firms expressed an interest, but then asked when she planned to move out to LA, or when she would next be in the area. She had initially told me that she could end her clerkship at any point between January and September 2019, but as the time went on, it became clear that she did not want to move until May or June. Had I known this earlier, I would have waited to start working with her until February or March, a few months before she was planning on moving out. In general, firms aren't going to have a clear idea of their lateral hiring needs for more than two to three months out. To the third point, while this candidate's geographic constraints were very limiting, she did allow me to apply her to all firms that we had connections to and had in our database near the city where she would be relocating to. While it is a city far to the west in LA, we do have a lot of connections to firms near this city in our database. I think that what really saved this candidate was that she was open-minded in terms of firms and size of firms.
She ended up getting twelve interviews, between September and May, mostly at boutique / small firms, and the firm that ended up giving her the offer was a firm that did have an active opening, and is a boutique firm that specializes in general litigation, real estate litigation and employment litigation. While my candidate's background was in Bankruptcy rather than in any of these practice areas, I think that the firm really liked her academic pedigree and her legal research and writing experience, even within the context of Bankruptcy. I think that the candidate also comes off as very mature and poised in interviews, which helped her a lot. Finally, she is a woman and is diverse, which does matter and should matter to certain firms. She did have specific salary constraints and expectations, but they were relatively reasonable and this firm was able to match them.
This placement taught me that Bankruptcy Clerks can be marketable for general litigation positions, especially if the candidate comes from a strong academic pedigree and presents well in interviews. It is challenging, of course, and not every Bankruptcy Clerk will have success in landing at a general litigation firm, boutique or otherwise, but it can be done. This candidate is very, very excited to start at the boutique firm that I placed her at, and to get more experience in general litigation, as well as real estate and employment (all of which are much more marketable than Bankruptcy, at least at the moment). She is also very happy that we were able to find her a firm that is so convenient to where she and her husband moved. All in all, this placement was unusual in a lot of ways, which makes me all the more proud of it and proud for my candidate!
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.
