This candidate, one of my best friends from law school, had an extremely impressive background. She graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude, and went on to clerk for a prominent district court judge in the Southern District of Florida. After her two year clerkship ended, she joined the Fort Lauderdale office of litigation powerhouse Boies Schiller Flexner LLP as an Associate. After two years of working on sophisticated general commercial litigation matters at Boies, this candidate decided that she needed a break from billing over 2,000 hours every year.
She took a year off to plan her upcoming wedding and to figure out what she wanted to do next. Eventually, she began doing freelance legal work. While she loved being able to work on sophisticated litigation matters on a part-time, remote, flexible basis, she did not enjoy having to negotiate her hourly rate and bidding on assignments against other freelancers. She also missed developing long-term relationships and the stability that law firms provided.
Around that time, I had recently placed another candidate at an elite litigation boutique in Miami. The partners there told me that they were desperate for good writers and that they were willing to be flexible in order to find the best talent. So I reached out to this candidate, who I knew to be an excellent writer to tell her about the firm. She was intrigued, so we went ahead and submitted her.
The firm immediately requested an interview and, because this candidate is naturally an excellent interviewer, all of her interviews went extremely well and she quickly received a somewhat vague verbal offer.
Negotiating and structuring the offer was the tricky part of this placement, since it was so nontraditional. After a great deal of back and forth between me, the candidate, and the firm, we all ultimately decided that this candidate would be able to work remotely from home three days a week and earn a base salary of $140,000 in exchange for 1,000 billable hours of work per year. To allow for some flexibility while also discouraging the firm from having her bill substantially more than 1,000 hours, we decided that she would be paid significant overtime for any hours billed over 1,000 hours.
While the situation took some getting used to for all involved, after a few months, all were extremely happy with the setup! This candidate is thrilled to have found a position that allows her to utilize and further hone her litigation skills in a manner that still allows her to live the life she wants. The firm is thrilled to have such a brilliant, talented writer.
Placements like these, in which all parties work together to think outside the box in order to ensure that every party gets exactly what they want, truly make me the happiest as a recruiter. I know that this candidate will be extremely successful at this firm and I wish her and the firm the absolute best of luck!
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.
