Since graduating from a top 30 law school, with honors, this candidate had practiced antitrust litigation and general commercial litigation as an Associate at an AmLaw 100 firm in Atlanta. Although this firm was allowing this candidate to work remotely from Tampa indefinitely, she understandably wanted to be at a firm with an office in Tampa. Luckily, she had recently passed the Florida Bar Exam (which is EXTREMELY important, if not necessary, for securing a position in Florida).
During my initial call with this candidate, it became clear that she was extremely impressive. She obtained her B.A. in Political Science and Psychology, Summa Cum Laude (4.0/4.0 GPA) from a state flagship. There, her exceptional work ethic and time-management skills, enabled her to obtain a perfect GPA while maintaining part-time employment throughout college and dedicating herself to over 800 hours of community service through a service project.
She went on to obtain her J.D., with Honors, from a top 30 law school. In addition to excelling academically (including getting the highest grade in her Legal Writing/Introduction to Legal Advocacy class), she was Managing Editor of a journal, President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, a Student Attorney with the Juvenile Appellate, and was offered a position in her school's Moot Court Society.
Upon graduation, she joined an AmLaw 100 firm as an Antitrust and General Commercial Litigation Associate. She was so highly regarded at her firm, which did not have any Florida offices, that they allowed her to work remotely from Tampa indefinitely.
Moreover, she was extremely nice and easy to work with. She trusted me completely throughout the process and approved the vast majority of firms I sent her. I made sure to convey to firms how impressive this candidate was in my cover letters to them and, as a result, this candidate received multiple interviews in Tampa, which is typically a very tough market to crack.
Of those firms that interviewed her, because she was extremely ambitious, this candidate was most interested in Zuckerman Spaeder, an extremely prestigious litigation boutique. We did extensive interview prep over the phone together for each interview and this candidate went into all of her interviews extremely prepared. She was also a naturally great interviewer. Therefore, all of her interviews went extremely well. She had quite a few in person interviews at Zuckerman Spaeder until she had met every single lawyer in the Tampa office.
The seemingly never-ending rounds of in person interviews struck the candidate as overkill, but it is actually extremely common in smaller law firms, as fit is so incredibly important. In a large group in a BigLaw firm, if an associate does not click with a particular partner, that associate can simply go elsewhere for work, but in a small firm, all attorneys must be able to work well together, so they take fit extremely seriously. For that reason, candidates also tend to be happier at smaller firms.
In the end, all of the interviews were worth it. This candidate ended up with a competitive offer from arguably the best litigation firm in Tampa. This candidate was thrilled and I'm sure she will have a successful career there!
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.
