The candidate that I just placed was an attorney who had worked at two boutique firms in LA, and was now looking to lateral to a mid-sized or ideally a large national law firm. He had only been at his first boutique firm for ten months before lateraling to his current boutique firm. Short stints at a law firm can be a red flag to a potential employer, but this attorney had a good reason for lateraling so quickly, namely, that a friend at his current firm had reached out and told him about the opportunity at his current firm, and that his current firm had a more sophisticated practice, a more impressive clientele and bigger cases than his previous firm. Although both firms are boutique firms, I was able to make the argument (in my cover letter for the candidate) that the move from his first firm to his second firm was an upwards lateral move to a better firm, and this is one of the best reasons for making a lateral move - the upwards career trajectory. While the quick move to a second firm could have been a red flag nonetheless, the candidate has been at his current firm for more than three years now, so he has more recently shown the longevity at a firm that a potential employer will want to see. His current firm is relatively well-known in the legal community, as it has several Big Law refugee Partners and Associates, and he has gotten some really great litigation experience there (taking and defending depositions, arguing motions and even second-chairing several trials, an impressive feat for a Class of 2015 Associate).
This attorney's academics are also stellar, which I think really helped him in landing at a large national firm. He attended a local Los Angeles-based school that has a great network and great connections within the LA community, and even though its national ranking isn't stellar, it is well respected in the Los Angeles legal community. He graduated in the top 5% of his class, with a GPA of 4.02, cum laude, Order of the Coif, etc. He was also on his school's law review. These are the sorts of credentials that a large national firm is going to want to see, especially from a general litigator and especially from someone who didn't attend a Top 20 law school and isn't currently at a large national firm.
I worked with this candidate for about four to five months. He was careful in approving firms, only approving me to submit him to firms that he was genuinely interested in lateraling to (which I appreciated). Sometimes, candidates approve all firms that I send them and then later balk when a firm requests an interview, which doesn't make the candidate or myself look very good. This candidate did not do that. Throughout the process, he obtained three interviews at large national firms, and one interview at a mid-sized California-based firm. One of the interviews that he got was at a Top Am Law 100 firm, because they liked his appellate experience, but he ended up declining the interview because they wanted him to join their Insurance Litigation group, and he wasn't interested in this type of work. For the other two interviews, one wanted more real estate litigation experience than he had, and the other, the firm went with another candidate. But, I could tell that he was a strong candidate throughout the process, as he kept getting interviews with large national firms.
This candidate makes a base salary of $125K at his current boutique firm, and the firm that ended up offering him offered a base of $195K, with a salary bump with the rest of his class year in January (it is now the end of August). It goes without saying that this is a huge salary bump for this candidate! The candidate accepted the offer the morning after he received it. He is very excited to finally land at a large national firm after four years of practice, and I couldn't be happier for him! He deserves this opportunity, and I know that he will excel at his new large national firm home!
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.
