Whenever I speak with candidates who want to move from one practice area to another, and from one city to another, my advice is to pick one to try to do first - either move locations or practice groups, and that you cannot do both at the same time. Firms are reticent to hire anyone who wants to change practices - they are looking for laterals to come in and feel an actual need and in order to do that, the candidates need to have the substantive experience sought at the right level, and not be looking to be retooled or retrained.
In 2017, we successfully moved her from an antitrust practice to an M&A practice at an AmLaw 100 firm in New York. Then, I presented the candidate's experience relevant to an M&A practice: she advised both U.S. and international clients in connection with cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, and other business arrangements. She performed due diligence and antitrust analysis on these deals, and she assisted in researching and drafting FTC "white papers" outlining efficiencies of contemplated pharmaceutical M&A transactions.
I advised the candidate that she needed to practice at her new firm in M&A for at least a year to two years before trying to make the geographic move she desired from New York to Miami. She did, and gained very valuable experience, as she was at a firm that staffed deals very leanly. The candidate and I kept in touch, and we kept building her deal sheet together.
Two months shy of two years, we thought she had gained enough M&A experience to try to make the move within the practice to a firm in Miami, and started to take a close look at the current market in Miami. There were not many openings at this time, and the candidate did not have the Spanish skills many firms in Miami require. I told the candidate that her strength of her candidacy, coupled with the fact that she was moving home, and with New York City BigLaw training, we could be aggressive in proactively reaching out to firms that had not come to us with affirmative needs. She agreed, and we reached out to every sizeable, sophisticated deal practice with which we had a strong relationship in Miami, and this was close to 30 firms. Fairly quickly, we received interest from two firms, one is a regional firm, and another - quite interestingly - is a large, international firm that had two separate offices interested in meeting with her (Miami and West Palm Beach). She first spoke with two partners at the regional firm and ended the phone call with a lukewarm impression. The firm later told me the partners were impressed but didn't think she had the exact kind of experience they could use.
The candidate then had her interview with the West Palm Beach office of the larger firm. She had a similar experience as with the regional firm. The West Palm Beach office decided to pass on her candidacy after the initial phone call. A couple weeks later, she had her phone interview with the Miami office and it went very well. The candidate was invited to callbacks in person and within a few days after she flew out to meet with the group in person, the firm's Miami office made her a strong offer.
I have not ever had any candidate interview with two different offices of the same firm simultaneously, let alone be passed upon by one office, and then to receive an offer from the second office. This taught me that our market knowledge, understanding of how different firms operate (centralized versus localized recruiting), and our relationships with internal stakeholders at firms are key to meeting our candidates' goals. When I approached the firm's two different offices, I discussed with each office the candidate's reason for applying to both, and why each office made sense, as the two are in close proximity to each other and have strong corporate practices. Both offices agreed that it made sense that the candidate be considered by each as each operates as a sort of separate entity and each partner has his/her own practice with personal clients in addition to institutional clients. To this day, the candidate thanks me for having the firm knowledge and relationships within to have encouraged and enabled her to apply to both offices. She tells me – and reasonably so - what I assume every candidate would think: she would not have ever applied to both offices and once passed upon by the first office, she would have assumed that the firm was not an open for her in Florida.
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.
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.
