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
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.
