The candidate that I just placed teaches us a couple of lessons: 1) great academics and / or a great firm can sometimes make up for an overly niche practice area, 2) persistence on the part of the candidate and / or on the part of the Recruiter can really pay off and 3) really preparing for interviews can give a candidate a huge leg up and really maximize his or her chances of getting an offer.
But first, a summary of this candidate's background, experience and credentials. She is Class of 2014, went to a Top 25 law school, did decently well there, was on Law Review, participated in Moot Court, went to a strong UC undergraduate school, did a major in Math there (which I found impressive), was the President of her sorority and was a cheerleader. Her class year and law school were a definite plus, along with the fact that she was on Law Review and Moot Court. I personally found the Math major impressive, as it is difficult to find a lawyer, let alone a female lawyer, who completed an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. I also liked that she was the President of her sorority and was on the Dance Team in college, as both of these show leadership and commitment.
Now, for the downsides. This candidate started at a small firm post-graduation from law school, doing general business litigation (a very different practice area than her current one). She lateraled to her current firm, a well-respected firm in the OC, in May 2016, was able to break into Subdivisions Services, a particular niche of Real Estate (on the transactional side), and has been doing this type of work for the past 3+ years, almost 3 years when we began working together. The problem was that while my candidate's current practice is certainly related to general real estate transactional, my candidate doesn't currently draft real estate agreements - she does more compliance work, and although she does review these agreements, but she doesn't draft them herself. I knew that this would be our biggest challenge. Firms tends to be very cookie cutter in terms of class year and the type of experience that they're looking for, and neither this candidate's clear year nor her experience was a round peg fitting into a round hole.
To my candidate's credit, she was relatively open-minded about the types and sizes of firms that we were applying her to. She initially only wanted to apply to large firms, and we did get her an informational interview at a large national firm, but the interview was only a coffee interview with one Partner and the Partner ended up passing on her because her experience wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for. I knew that we were likeliest to get her traction with a smaller firm, as small firms tend to be much more open-minded in the type of experience that they're willing to entertain, they are more likely to be willing to train and it is harder for them to find good candidates.
This candidate ended up getting two offers at two boutique general real estate transactional firms, one in the OC (where she is currently based) and one in LA. Both firms liked her academics, credentials and her current firm, and both knew that they'd have to train (and were okay with this). One of the firms, the firm in LA, matched her current base, and even offered a $5K relocation bonus, since she'd have to move from the OC. The other firm offered $120K, with a lower billable hour requirement and generous bonus program, but my candidate preferred the certainty of a higher base.
In the end, even though my candidate won't be making more at her next firm, she knows that this is an amazing opportunity to expand and broaden her current practice, at a firm that is busy and has top-shelf clients and deals. In a year or two, I think that she will be able to lateral to any of the Big Law firms that we were initially targeting, once she gets the right experience under her belt. She is very excited about this opportunity to broaden her practice at an elite boutique real estate transactional firm, and I couldn't be happier for her!
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.
