The candidate that I just placed, however, was a little different. He graduated from a Top 10 law school in 2016, so very recently, only had about a year of plaintiff-side Labor & Employment experience when we started working together and perhaps most importantly, was at one of the few well-known and well-respected national Plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firms (the firm has four offices - in NYC, Chicago, DC and SF). When we had our first call, he told me that he wanted to stay on the plaintiff-side, but it quickly became apparent that he was willing to consider both plaintiff-side and defense-side firms, small, mid-sized and large. What I didn't know at the time was that he was either leaving, being laid off from or being fired from his firm. Perhaps I should have guessed this, as he went from only approving a handful of firms, to approving literally every firm that I sent him. At any rate, I thought that we would have the most success with plaintiff-side firms, as defense-side Labor & Employment firms are usually not willing to consider candidates on the plaintiff-side, despite the work being quite similar on both sides. He was also based in NYC, and I was applying him to firms throughout California but mostly in the Bay Area, where he is originally from and where his family lives. I thought that this added a further wrinkle to his application, as small firms, especially plaintiff-side firms, are usually not willing to wait for a candidate to relocate from across the country, certainly wouldn't pay for a candidate to fly out to interview with them, and as mentioned, there are very few mid-sized and larger plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firms (these types of firms usually represent private employers, not employees).
This candidate was interested in opportunities in both NYC and the Bay Area, but I later found out that he preferred NYC. My East Coast colleague and I submitted him to all sizes of firms in both NYC and throughout CA, and I ended up securing him four interviews at small plaintiff-side Labor & Employment shops in LA and the Bay Area and one interview at a mid-sized Labor & Employment / Education / Public Entity defense firm in SF, and my colleague one interview at a small defenseside Labor & Employment shop in NYC. I was honestly very surprised that he was able to secure two defense-side interviews. I think that this is because he attended a Top 10 law school, and is at a national plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firm. He is also barred in both NY and CA, the two hardest bar exams to pass in the country, so this may hold value to certain firms.
I think that what this candidate did right was allowing my colleague and me to submit him to all sorts of opportunities, at small, mid-sized and larger law firms, and in NYC and throughout CA. This candidate ended up turning down entirely or refusing callback interviews with the four plaintiff-side Labor & Employment shops, but he did interview with my mid-sized defense firm and my colleague's small defense firm in NYC. My defense firm flew him out to SF for his callback, which he liked and appreciated, and which showed to him that they were serious about him. My firm extended an offer the morning after his callback, and gave him a week to accept or decline. My colleague's defense-side firm only popped up asking to interview this candidate three days before he had to accept or decline my offer. This put him in a difficult situation, as he preferred NYC for personal reasons, but he already had a great offer in SF lined up, and at this point had already left his firm. I impressed upon him how difficult it would be to secure another great interview let alone an offer after leaving his firm (potential employers immediately become very suspicious of candidates who are no longer with their firm, and usually won't interview them, as they think that the candidate is a firm hopper, a bad employee and / or can't get along with others). My mid-sized firm conducted his callback interview after he had already left his firm, whereas he was still at his firm for the phone screen with the firm. So, the fact that the firm still decided to extend an offer, even knowing that he had left his firm was, frankly, a miracle.
In the end, the decision wasn't a difficult one for this candidate. The NYC firm told him that they didn't plan on making any decisions anytime soon, and even though the firm seemed sophisticated from their website and had attorneys with impressive credentials and pedigrees, he didn't like the type of work that he would be doing at the firm. This candidate realized that he had better accept the sure-bet offer that he had, rather than waiting and hoping for the NYC firm, or another NYC firm to surface and request an interview. Some candidates who are out of work are unrealistic about their marketability and job search prospects, but this candidate was not!
This candidate secured a significant base bump compared to what he was making at his previous firm, as well as a generous signing bonus, even despite the fact that he was unemployed! I was able to help him with this, as I've placed three other candidates at this same firm, and they were all offered between $5K and $10K signing bonuses. I was able to ask for a $10K signing bonus for this candidate, siting his cross-country move, and they quickly complied.
The lesson I learned with this candidate was that junior Plaintiff-side Labor & Employment candidates can transition to the defense-side, and even at mid-sized and potentially larger firms, especially if they attended a good law school and did relatively well there, as this candidate did. Transitioning to the defense-side is a career changer for this candidate. He is now marketable to all sizes of firms, including Big Law firms, should he choose to make another transition in a year or two. His future in-house prospects are also a lot better, as defense-side employment litigators are always valuable to in-house legal departments, or he could consider a future transition to government as well. If he had stayed on the P-side, he would have likely been stuck working at small P-side Labor & Employment shops for the rest of his career, with their high volume of clients and cases, demanding work and high turnover rates. I am very excited for this candidate and know that he will excel on the defense side!
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.
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.
