In terms of this candidate's background, he is from an underprivileged community in the Central Valley of California. He attended a state school in the Central Valley for college, and then went to a Top 10 law school, where he received many Honors grades. During law school, he was very active in mock trial and moot court, and even to this day continues to coach for his law school's mock trial team. After graduating from law school, he joined a small firm in the Central Valley, at which he was doing both P-side and D-side Labor & Employment work, including wage and hour class action work (a very desirable and sought-after skill set in the Labor & Employment field). After two years at his smaller firm in the Central Valley, I helped him to lateral to his current firm, a well-respected, mid-sized, multi-office, national Labor & Employment firm. He currently does Labor & Employment defense work exclusively, including wage and hour class actions.
After he had been at his current firm for a year, he reached out to me and told me that he was interested in making another lateral firm move, this time to an AmLaw 100 firm, ideally where he'd be making market. While he had already been at two firms in three years (which can raise red flags for potential employers), Labor & Employment and specifically wage and hour class action experience is so very hot and desirable in California that I knew that I'd eventually be able to place him at the caliber of firm that he was looking for.
We really only submitted this candidate to AmLaw firms in both SF and Silicon Valley, although he really wanted to stay in SF. He ended up going through full rounds of interviews with two AmLaw 100 firms, and I was pretty convinced that he was going to get the offer from both, but he ended up being rejected by one after a full round of callbacks, despite positive post-screening feedback.
Unfortunately, I think that this candidate comes off a little cocky in-person. He is a wonderful person - very friendly, bubbly, eloquent, smart, gregarious - but you can tell that he has a high opinion of himself, his experience and credentials. I think that this rubbed one of the firms the wrong way, which is understandable - everyone at these sorts of firms is very smart and well-credentialed, and these firms want smart and capable people, but also people that are humble and are going to be team players. I think that one of the firms worried that he was unpolished (big fish in a small pond), coming from the practice background that he does, and perhaps was untrainable. Interestingly enough, the other firm had similar concerns - they expressed to me that he came off as over-eager, a big personality and that it seemed that he had a high opinion of himself. However, he wowed them enough in the interviews that they were willing to look past this and take a chance on him.
In the end, he was offered at the second AmLaw 100 firm as a Class of 2017 Associate (one year class cut), making market, and he more or less accepted on the spot. He is absolutely thrilled to be landing at such a great firm, and I couldn't be happier for him! I feel so lucky and grateful to have helped him in his lateral firm search twice.
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.
