Here the partner was well known in her field and had a considerable book of business. During our first conversation I asked what was on her "wish list" for her next firm. She was looking for a top firm that supported women's and diversity issues and had solid financials. I immediately thought of the firm where I ultimately placed her, and she confirmed that this firm was on the top of her list as well.
We discussed other parameters of her search and I got busy researching firms.
I started my research by looking for top firms that were financially solid. The partner was less concerned about the overall Am Law ranking of prospective firms, and more concerned about financials, including revenue, profits per partner, net income, etc. In preparing a list of firms for her to consider, I dug deep into the metrics that make up the Am Law 100 list. I also reviewed information provided by firms on their websites, to the extent this information was publicly available.
I identified a handful of firms whose financials indicated that they were doing well, improving year over year, and not sliding in the financial rankings.
A commitment to diversity was also a priority for the partner and her team. Many firms pay lip service to diversity initiatives, but often it is just that, lip service. We were looking for firms that had meaningful programs in place to fulfill this commitment. In researching firms, I started by looking at which firms won awards for diversity, including those from the American Bar Association, Chambers and Partners, the Diversity Law Institute, Women in Law Empowerment Forum, Human Rights Campaign, Law 360, etc. I also researched diversity initiatives within firms and whether women held leadership positions within the firms. For some firms it was difficult to determine which partners sat on the board of directors or held top positions. Other firms were more transparent about firm leadership, including the one where I placed the group.
The partner also wanted to go to a firm that was well known in her practice area. I researched firms that were Tier 1 in her practice, which narrowed the list to about a dozen firms. The firm she picked is known as a powerhouse in her practice area. We only submitted the group to this firm and kept the others in reserve in case it did not work out. Fortunately, the firm was immediately interested in the team. They were aware of their reputation and had considered approaching them in the past. They also shared a couple of major clients, so they hoped that would help them win more work in the future.
Things moved quickly once I introduced the partners to the firm. First the partners had to complete a lateral partner questionnaire, which included collections for the past three years. We also did a preliminary conflict check to make sure there were no major hurdles that would stand in the way of the group joining the firm. After a few interviews with top decisionmakers in the practice group, office, and nationwide, the firm made the group an outstanding offer, including a bonus that would make them whole for any money they would leave behind at the old firm. The group was excited and started with the firm only a week later. The entire process from start to finish took two months.
A couple of take-aways from this case study: 1) Partners realize the importance of the financial health of prospective firms and are less concerned with the actual Am Law rank of the firm; 2) a commitment to diversity is important in deciding which firm to join; 3) senior attorneys need to establish a book of business and continue to develop it - a book of business is essential to making a move as an experienced attorney; 4) firms move quickly to hire partners with strong books of business.
This search demonstrates that firms will move quickly to hire superstar partners and the group of attorneys who support them, especially if there are strong synergies in their practices.
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.
