In addition to his work at the firm, he was an active participant in bar and professional organizations and continually wrote articles and spoke at conferences and on panels relevant to technology and patent law. He also took on pro bono matters and was engaged in important non-legal activities in his community. He was a bit senior, just past the three-to-five year sweet spot for lateral moves, but at a point where he wanted to make sure he made the right next and final move. He wanted this to be his last move for a very long time, and so he needed to get to the place where he could see himself for the long-term.
He had done exceptionally well where he was, but it was becoming increasingly clear that he needed a new platform so that he could continue to grow as an attorney in the way he saw himself growing and advancing. For one thing, he wanted to start bringing in clients. This could prove difficult in his current situation. Although he had all the makings of a rainmaker due to his active professional life and the connections he had made networking, his existing firm was structured with predominantly large institutional clients, and it was not at all clear that such a structure was conducive to the kinds of startups and entrepreneurial clients this candidate was connected to and hoping to start bringing in as clients.
Further, he felt that opportunities for "cross-selling" might be limited at his current firm, and he wanted to be able to cross-sell services for his clients. That means that if he brought in a client to do the client's patent work, for example, he wanted to also be able to help that client in a more full service manner, by having other people within his firm service other legal needs of that client. Cross-selling is an important part of rainmaking, and for various reasons it did not seem like it would work so well at his current firm.
Moreover, this candidate wanted to be in an environment that fully embraced his professional and community activities. Such wide-ranging professional and community activities were not exactly discouraged at his current firm, but at the same time they were not necessarily endorsed as much as other activities, like billing more hours.
This was a very gifted and expansive person, attorney and professional. I felt strongly that the "sky is the limit" for him. He was the whole package, with so much to offer, and I committed to doing everything I could to help him find the place where he could expand to the fullest reaches of his potential.
This was not the kind of candidate whom we could apply to a whole range of firms in multiple markets. He was very established within a particular area, was not going to be moving markets, and really needed a certain caliber of firm to even consider it. I did a great deal of research as to firms within his market that might meet all of his criteria.
Our search was thus relatively discreet and limited to top-of-the-line firms. Not surprisingly, given his credentials, he got several interviews with prominent firms relatively quickly, even despite being a bit senior and past the three-to-five year sweet sport for lateral moves. The firms that interviewed him knew he would be coming in on partnership track and needed to be sure he would be a good fit at that level. Firms do not need to be as careful with this kind of consideration for more junior attorneys because the reality is there is still a lot of attrition among mid-level attorneys and less likelihood that someone coming in as a third or fourth year is actually going to be there when the time to be put up for partner rolls around.
This candidate found his new law firm "match" in short order. It turned out to be a very well-regarded and established AmLaw firm that was in growth mode just like this candidate. They were growing their patent practice and needed someone with his experience as well as his energy. Similarly, they valued his expansive nature and felt that he would thrive and be rewarded in their culture.
Legal careers evolve and attorneys benefit from different contexts and cultures depending upon where they are in their individual trajectories. If your trajectory involves growth and expansion, like this attorney, you need to be in a firm that values and that benefits by your growth and expansion. With that kind of synergy, the sky is the limit!
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.
