Big Law California Associate Moves to Regional Market | BCGSearch.com

Big Law California Associate Moves to Regional Market

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A midlevel corporate attorney at the top law firm in California contacted BCG looking for help in a move to a regional market - New Jersey. The attorney had been at the same firm for her first three years of practice and it was a fantastic top firm on the West Coast. The candidate was making a move to New Jersey to be closer to the family, and was NOT entirely interested in New York City, but willing to try that market as well given that New Jersey can be limited.
Big Law California Associate Moves to Regional Market

The attorney did not have the New Jersey bar, which she worried would be a detriment to her in her job search. However, I assured her that firms will still hire her as long as she was willing to get admitted to the bar.

 
One of the things that made this attorney a wonderful attorney to work for is that she put he trust in me to lead her in the right direction and to get her every possibility I could moving forward. I sent her every new position I found, including New Jersey and New York, and she spent her time deciding which if any made sense for her to take. Despite knowing New Jersey was her first choice, she also understood that she needed to think broadly as well since the market in NJ in big law - which was her only focus - was small. (In this regard, she would have gone to NYC for big law rather than a smaller shop in NJ as she was not ready to walk away from big law life at this time in her career). easy to work with was that they put their faith in the placement process and would carefully review every position they were sent.
 
The attorney and I spoke for a long time about what is the best move for her in her career, and we gave her advice every step of the way. Given her credentials and class year, she quickly started landing many interviews at top of the top firms in NYC, especially with the corporate background which at the time was extremely marketable in New York City. She also was more than willing to travel and fly in for the interviews, even if on her own dime, which is something that many attorneys are not willing to do and can ultimately cost them the job as not all law firms pay for travel these days.
 
With persistence and BCG connections, this candidate was able to land her DREAM interview at one of the few big law firms in the New Jersey area. She was thrilled! At the same time, she was interviewing at numerous NYC firms, which allowed her the ability to really make a strong decision about whether New Jersey was where she wanted to be in the end or if the prestige of the NYC market would lead her to choosing that. The New Jersey firm ended up making her an offer without ever meeting her in person. She then flew to NYC for a couple of callback interviews, and met up with the NJ firm and the associates to learn more about them.
 
She then started to land offers at top of the top (Vault top 10) firms in NYC. I provided a lot of guidance and insight along the way on what was the right choice for her. Ultimately, she decided to turn down firms that could be extremely difficult for many many attorneys to turn down given the prestigious of the firms - many of which were significantly higher ranked than her current firm (despite being an excellent firm). In the end though, with thinking about her future family and the fact that her and her husband planned to live in NJ long-term, she felt she could not pass up the opportunity at the NJ firm. This firm is very very difficult to get an offer at, and BCG was thrilled for her that she was able to secure her dream position through us. We appreciate her trust in us and believe it made all the difference in her job search and getting her to where she wanted to be.

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.
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