The candidate that I placed late last week is an example of the latter. In terms of his background, he is Class of 2019, attended a Top 20 law school, was summa cum laude there and received a 4.0 GPA (this is very rare and impressive, especially at a Top 20 law school), attended a low-level state school for his undergraduate studies and is currently at a very prestigious litigation boutique in the OC, whose lawyers are mostly graduates of top law schools. I would say that this candidate is rather exceptional, despite his undergraduate school. The only problem was that he was Class of 2019, and it is difficult to get traction for first years, even in a good market.
I started working with this candidate in February, when he had only been at his top litigation boutique for five months. I think that he was already starting to get burned out on the pace of the firm and the number of hours that he was regularly billing. Initially, he was looking to go to a large, ideally AmLaw 100 firm in the OC or SD, or potentially another high-level boutique that paid market.
To be honest, I'm not sure that he knew exactly what he wanted. An AmLaw 100 firm or another high-level boutique would have likely had the same sorts of demands as his current firm. I started applying him broadly, and he got quick traction from a national, multi-office litigation boutique that is headquartered in Cleveland but has an office in SD. He moved through the process quickly and was given an offer, but for a base of $135K (which is actually quite good for San Diego!). However, at the time, he really only wanted to move to San Diego if the base were significantly higher, and at the very least $150K. He was also turned off by some of the comments of one of his interviewers, a senior litigation Associate who I think made the firm and pace sound very intense. He of course already had this at his current firm, and wasn't looking to go to a firm with a similar feel. Long story short, he ended up turning down the offer at the end of February or in early March.
The candidate then asked me to apply him to a specific mid-sized, multi-office, California-based firm that has offices in both the OC and the Inland Empire, where he's from. Now, the firm didn't have an opening at the time, but he is such an exceptional candidate that I applied him opportunistically, as a feeler. The Inland Empire office of the firm was very interested, and went through the phone interview and callback process with him rather quickly. It seemed that they were going to give him an offer.
But then, Covid-19 hit, and hiring ground to a halt, especially at mid-sized and larger firms. This particular mid-sized firm kept reiterating how interested they were in my candidate, but said that their hiring was frozen and that they wouldn't resume hiring until they had a better sense of when they'd be back in the office. A lot of firms have been on-boarding candidates remotely, as of course they don't know when they'll be back in the office, but this particular firm decided not to. We waited for this firm for months and months and they did not move. Then, interestingly enough, my candidate's lease was up for renewal in the OC, but he had decided that he really wanted to be in the Inland Empire (where he is from), and so he moved to the Inland Empire while continuing to work remotely from the OC. This of course put even more pressure and urgency on his job search, and made it so that we needed to find him a law firm home in the Inland Empire ASAP.
Fortunately, there was a small firm in the Inland Empire that had interviewed him back in February and that he had decided not to move forward with, because he was a lot more interested in the midsized firm at the time. However, now that the mid-sized firm's hiring was all but dead, he asked if I could reach out to the small firm again and see if they were still interested. Usually, if you turn down a firm, they won't be interested in resuming the conversation with you later, as they don't want to feel like second choice and will worry about your long-term commitment to staying at the firm. However, it has probably been very difficult for this small firm to attract strong candidates, given their regional location and small size, and this candidate is truly exceptional for them. They decided to give him another shot!
I emailed the firm on a Tuesday, they responded and asked to interview him the next day, they conducted a video interview the next day and gave him an offer the same day! The offer was a significant pay-cut for him, but very reasonable for the Inland Empire, and he accepted the next day, on Thursday! The firm is very excited to have him join them, and he is also relieved and happy to have landed at a firm in the Inland Empire so soon after moving there. So a very happy ending for all parties involved!
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.
