This candidate is a bit unusual in that she is barred in CA, but has been "practicing" in Boston since her graduation from law school in 2014 (and is not barred in MA). By "practicing", I mean that she is and has been an Investigator and an Employee Benefits Law Adviser for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration in Boston since the summer of 2013. Her work does involve a lot of transferable skills to practicing as an ERISA lawyer, but she is not technically in a legal position at the moment. She has, though, conducted formal interviews, taken depositions, drafted memos and briefs, and taken on a lot of the sorts of responsibilities that she would as an ERISA lawyer. This, I think, really helped her in overcoming the fact that she is not currently practicing as a lawyer / in a strictly legal position. She was also very good about spelling out in detail the experience that she has gotten to date, including all transferable successes and duties at the Department of Labor. Interestingly enough, in addition to working for the Department of Labor, she works remotely and part-time for a small firm based in LA, doing business, securities and employment litigation for them. So, although she isn't currently in a strictly legal role, she is working part-time in a legal role, and does have experience working for a law firm, at least part-time and remote experience. Firms normally want to see that candidates have experience working at firms.
This candidate has a few other things going for her as well: 1) ERISA is a very niche practice area, and it is hard to find qualified attorneys with this experience, 2) she did well in law school, attended a prestigious CA-based undergraduate school and also did well there, 3) she speaks Spanish fluently, 4) she is licensed to practice law in CA and 5) she is a certified Employee Benefits Specialist. I think that all of these things helped her to overcome the fact that she has been working in-house in Boston in a non-legal role since her graduation from law school.
Thanks to the above, through my time working with her, she obtained two interviews through me and one through my fellow East Coast recruiter. The two interviews through me were with a plaintiff side Labor & Employment firm based in CA that was interested in expanding its ERISA practice, but they ended up not extending her an offer because they were worried that the practice was too new at their firm and that they didn't have enough work for her, and with a small ERISA / Labor & Employment boutique in SF that does a lot of union-side work, but does have a very established ERISA practice. My candidate wasn't initially sure if she wanted to represent unions, but I was able to convince her that she needs to get her foot in the door at a firm, any firm, doing ERISA work in SF, and from there, in a year or two, she would easily be able to lateral up to a better firm in the Bay Area.
The firm ended up giving her an offer less than what she is making now (union-side firms often do not pay anywhere close to market), but we were able to make up the difference by getting her a sign-on / relocation bonus for the first year. While she would have loved to land at a larger firm and / or a firm that isn't union-side, she realizes that her background is clunky and that it would have been tough to find a larger firm that was willing to take a chance on someone like her – someone who has never truly worked at a law firm, and isn't in a strictly legal role at the moment. In the end, my candidate is very excited to join the firm that she is joining, as she feels that it's a great cultural fit, she is excited to move back home to SF and she realizes that she will get the experience that she needs at this firm to really launch her ERISA legal career. I am so excited for her!
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.
