I reached out to the candidate in early March 2019, by emailing her directly at her firm email address. I told her that I had recently placed another Associate from her firm at a great national mid-sized firm (Bowman & Brooke), and would be happy to do the same for her. She responded and we set up a time to chat on the phone. She explained over the phone that she wanted to move to a larger market than the one that she was currently based out of (LA or the OC rather than Ontario). She was also looking to search because one of the founding Partners of her firm had recently left to become a Judge, and the other Partners were forced to buy him out, so her salary would be frozen until 2021 (for almost two years). She was in the low 100's as a second year, which is quite low for a Class of 2017 litigator, and she was hoping for 115-120 to make a move. I knew that I would be able to do this for her.
In terms of her marketability, this candidate was a decent junior litigator - not exceptional, but solid. She attended a Top 50 California-based law school, was in the Top 25% of her class there, participated in Moot Court, obtained a few scholarships, attended a UC school for her undergraduate studies, did well there and was the first in her family to attend college. She had also been at her firm since graduation, a 14-person, two-office firm with offices in small markets in California. Her practice centered around general commercial litigation and municipal law. I found it particularly impressive that she worked her way through college as a shuttle bus driver for her undergraduate school. Firms like to see experiences on a candidate's resume that demonstrate the candidate's commitment, resilience, perseverance and drive. Examples of this are playing a varsity sport in college, running marathons regularly, participating in triathlons regularly, past military experience, etc. But, this certainly can include socioeconomic diversity as well, which is why I highlighted on this particular candidate's cover letter that she was the first in her family to attend college and worked her way through college.
When we started working together, this candidate was a bit junior. She had a year and five months of post-graduate law school experience. While some really exceptional first year candidates can obtain interviews even within their first year at a firm (think, top law schools, great grades, top firms), decent candidates usually need to wait a bit longer to see the same traction. This candidate obtained an interview through me when we first started working together, at the Ontario office of a strong public entity-focused CA-based firm (with a DC office), but after a phone screen with her, the firm told us that they weren't sure about their needs and were putting her candidacy on hold. I told them multiple times that she would be interested in their OC office as well, but they didn't respond to my multiple emails. Interestingly enough, sometimes firms are interested in candidates for one of their offices but not another office. This is because perhaps this firm was receiving a lot of strong applications for junior litigators for their OC office (a larger market), but were having trouble attracting even decent litigators for their Ontario office. So, whereas this candidate was maybe not strong enough, or didn't stack up against the candidates that were applying in the OC, she was probably one of the only decent litigators applying for Ontario.
This candidate was very proactive about searching for firms and opportunities that we at BCG had posted on our website, and sending them to me to review and add to her list if I deemed them appropriate for her. Still, despite both of us staying on top of the market, we weren't able to get her traction until I resubmitted her to a batch of firms in September, six months after I had originally submitted her with no response. It's possible that her application slipped through the cracks the first time around, or that she was too junior when we first applied her, but now that she had two years of post-law school experience, the firm was interested. Regardless, it can be helpful for you or your Recruiter to resubmit to firms from which you never received an answer after six months have passed since your original submission.
The firm that was interested in interviewing her is a national, 12-office firm that does a lot of insurance coverage as well as local government work (she does a lot of the latter). Their Irvine office was interested in interviewing her, and the firm set up one callback interview with several Partners.
Clearly the candidate did very well in the interview, because the day after the interview, the firm was asking about her salary expectations and said that they were looking to get authority for the hire. My candidate was hoping for $120K-$125K, but the most we were able to get her was a base of $116K (which was what she had originally said that she was targeting). We were, however, able to get her a $3K relocation bonus, to help with the transition from Ontario to the OC.
In the end, this candidate is very excited to move from a small firm to a national, mid-sized, multi office firm, where she will be able to expand the breadth and sophistication of her practice. I think that the firm that she landed at is a great upwards lateral move for her, and I know that she will excel at her new 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.
