In terms of the candidate's background, she attended a Top 50 law school and did very well there -she was summa cum laude and Order of the Coif, and earned a 3.9 GPA! She was also on her law school journal, was on the Dean's List every semester, participated in Moot Court, was the President of her school's Women's Law Association and boasted several other academic and extracurricular accolades. She also attended a Top 50 undergraduate university, was magna cum laude there and studied abroad at a prestigious university in England. So, all in all, her academics were exceptional. In terms of her law firm experience, she spent her 2L summer at a prestigious national firm in Phoenix, and received an offer to join the firm post-graduation from law school.
However, her offer was in litigation, and she really wanted to do tech transactions, so she applied to firms on her own as a 3L and landed at a well-respected boutique in Seattle doing Tech, Video Games & Emerging Media. She actually started working at this boutique firm part-time as a 3L, in January 2019, so she has more experience than the average tech transactions first year.
The main challenge for us was, of course, that this candidate was very junior when we started working together. I started submitting her in February 2020, when she had only been at her firm post-graduation for a few months. However, I was hoping that the fact that she had been working for them since January 2019 would help us. We submitted her to firms in SF, Silicon Valley, LA, the OC, San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas. She had ties to Phoenix and Las Vegas, as she spent her 2L summer in Phoenix and her 1L summer in Las Vegas, and told me that she had friends throughout California. I knew that California was likely a stretch, as this candidate doesn't have family anywhere in California and she's so junior. The fact that she doesn't have the California bar actually doesn't matter in this case, as I've noticed that California firms will make an exception to the general CA license requirement for candidates from hot and niche practice ares like tech transactions and data privacy. However, it would have helped if she had had a year or two more of post-law school experience, as the vast majority of firms searching for tech transactions Associates in California were and are looking for at least a few years of experience.
The situation became even tougher when this candidate was laid off from her boutique firm in Seattle in June. When she told me this, I really and truly believed that that was the end of the line for us. I've been working with several laid-off 2019ers during this pandemic, and before this candidate, none of them had gotten any traction. The sad truth of the matter is that a 2019er who is laid off right now will likely land at a low-level firm and / or will have to switch practice areas. However, I did see one opening at an Am Law 100 firm in Seattle that was looking for a mid-level tech transactions Associate. I knew that this candidate was too junior for the role but I thought, heck, why not try.
A week or two after I submitted her, the firm reached out asking to interview. It turned out that while she was indeed too junior for the role, they were in the process of getting a first or second year tech transactions Associate position approved by the firm and posted on the firm website. During the interview, they actually told the candidate that they'd want to post the position and get more resumes before deciding whether or not to move forward with her, which is usually a ding. But, they liked my candidate so much and the candidate came off so well in the interview, that the firm decided NOT to post the position on their website and just move forward with her! She went through two rounds of video interviews, one with partners and one with associates, and then a conflicts and background screening, and was extended an offer! Neither she nor I could believe it. As mentioned, this is a top Am Law 100 firm, and not only are Am Law 100 firms barely interviewing during the pandemic, but they are certainly (for the most part) not seriously considering or interviewing candidates that have been laid off, let alone 2019 candidates who have been laid off! This would have been a huge upwards move for her and the dream opportunity in any market, and even if she had still been at her firm. Needless to say, we were both absolutely over the moon. This firm, like many Am Law 100 firms, has recently cut its associate salaries by 15%, and so the base is lower than what we were expecting, but she may get bumped up to a higher base in September and of course it's not all about the money! This opportunity is the dream opportunity for this candidate in the tech transactions space, and is quite literally a career and life changer. I could not be any happier for her!
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.
