Many law firms of all sizes have departments that practice some form of Corporate Law as well as Litigation. But far fewer firms have niche practice areas. Because this candidate was looking to make a lateral move within the niche practice area of FDA Law, it narrowed the pool of firms considerably.
This was a strong candidate. She had started her career with a relevant regulatory agency and had spent several years there. Government or agency work is not always looked upon with favor by law firms, because the culture and expectations in those contexts is often different from that of law firms. But in the case of FDA law and certain other niche practice areas with ties to government (like Securities Regulation, Environmental Law, Antitrust and White Collar work) the opposite is true. In those cases, law firms often look for candidates who have spent time in the relevant government agency. The reason is because working inside an agency like the Food & Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Securities and Exchange Commission or Department of Justice gives someone insight into how things are done there, which can be very helpful when representing a client who needs to interface in some way with that agency or its rules and regulations.
But working in an agency alone is generally not sufficient to qualify someone for work in a law firm, even in a niche practice area. Law firms also like to see that just as the candidate has been able to succeed within the government or agency context, the candidate has also been able to excel in a law firm environment. Law firms are unique places, with their own sets of expectations including billable hours and things like that, and they like to see evidence that candidates will be able to meet those expectations. As a side note, this is also the reason why it is helpful to have worked in a law firm as a summer associate. Being a summer associate is not the same as being an associate, of course, but at least a summer associate is exposed to the law firm environment and required to meet a certain level of expectation.
Besides her agency and law firm experience, this candidate also had other attractive credentials. She had done impressive internships in college, was involved in non-profits and other worthy organizations, and was admitted to multiple bars. She had strong writing samples and references. Though firms tend not to ask for references until near the end of the process, it can still be helpful to have references ready to go and to present them to firms at the beginning. This helps show firms that the candidate has been able to cultivate strong relationships with supervisors, colleagues and others, and being able to demonstrate this can sometimes defray concerns a firm might have and get a candidate to the next step in the process. Moreover, this candidate was articulate, responsive, personable, and committed to her niche practice area. She was a pleasure to work with and I was confident that firms would appreciate these characteristics and see how she could add value to their FDA teams.
The only possible issue she had with her candidacy was that she had already made another lateral move, from the firm where she had spent several years to another firm, where she had only spent a few months. Firms generally do not like to see a pattern of movement or short stints on resumes, as it can indicate instability or problems. But in this case, there was a legitimate reason. Though her current firm (where she had only been for a few months) was a very highly regarded firm, it did not have a robust practice in her field. She came aboard with the understanding that the practice was growing, but that did not seem to be happening quickly enough to satisfy this candidate's professional goals.
After researching the market, we applied to a handful of places with strong and established Food & Drug Administration practices. Given that she was a strong candidate in terms of her credentials and experience, we applied to firms that had openings as well as firms that did not have openings but may have been interested in hiring this candidate opportunistically. She got interest and was interviewing with a few places fairly quickly. There were several rounds of interviews at both firms, which is always exciting but can be tiring at the same time. One thing I respected about this candidate was her tenacity and ability to stay focused and prepared for each round of interviews.
It took a bit of time for all the pieces to fall together, but she got a great offer and made the switch! The lessons from this placement are that niche practice areas are in demand and so long as a candidate has strong credentials and you make targeted applications to firms that have that niche practice area, you can be successful. Moreover, agency experience - especially when coupled with firm experience - is very helpful in this type of job search.
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.
