The story that led me to this placement is an interesting one. I worked with a plaintiff-side Labor & Employment and consumer class action attorney about two years ago, but she found a position on her own, at a plaintiff-side lemon law firm in LA. She had been at this boutique lemon law firm for about two years when she contacted me again, and told me that her current boss was a monster, that he worked his attorneys into the ground and that she was desperate to get out. She referred three other attorneys from the same firm to me as well, all of whom had already left the firm months prior, had been laid off due to the pandemic or were similarly miserable and desperate to get out. Of these three, I placed one at a boutique lemon law firm within a week of submitting him to firms, I placed the candidate herself, the referrer, within about two months of submitting her and I just placed the third of her referrals at another boutique plaintiff-side lemon law firm in LA (all different lemon law firms!).
This candidate is, dare I say it, quite a clunky candidate. She went to a low-ranked law school in Seattle for law school (although she was cum laude there), and a well-ranked public school in California for her undergraduate studies. After graduating from law school, she worked at a litigation boutique in Seattle for two years, a well-respected firm in LA for four years but as an eDiscovery attorney (this is a career killer normally), a boutique litigation firm in LA for about two years, a top Big Law firm as an eDiscovery attorney, another top Big Law firm as an eDiscovery attorney and then she finally landed at her current firm, a plaintiff-side lemon law litigation firm. Incredibly, she was only at her most recent firm from May 2019 through March 2020, so for less than a year, and I'm not sure if she was laid off or left the firm. At any rate, she only has less than a year of lemon law experience! This candidate has also bounced around a lot, as she has been at six firms in ten years, and she has been off-partnership track several times as an eDiscovery attorney.
I've noticed that it's very hard for eDiscovery and contract attorneys to land jobs at firms that are looking to fill a traditional associate or attorney role, as most firms will expect that, at some point, you begin to generate business and that you will make partner if you stay long enough. Someone who has been off-partnership track record several times raises red flags in terms of whether they can cut it long-term at a law firm and in a traditional role.
But, of course, there are always exceptions to this general rule, and this candidate is one of them! This candidate got lucky in many ways. We only submitted her to two firms, and one ended up interviewing, offering and hiring her. Those are incredible stats! Normally a candidate won't even get an interview until I've submitted them to around ten firms. So to get an offer after applying to only two firms in just incredible. She also got lucky because lemon law is so niche and it's so hard to find attorneys that practice this, that the lemon law firm that hired her was able to look past her clunky background and just focused on the fact that she had ANY lemon law experience. Finally, she got lucky in that this particular firm seems to have a very active need, and is indeed looking to hire other lemon law attorneys. They seem to have more work than they can handle.
The lemon law boutique that ended up hiring her did one phone interview with her, one Zoom interview and gave her an offer two days later. While the offer was lower than what she was making at her last lemon law firm, she loved the lead partner and the firm and recognized that a lot of firms can't afford to pay a lot right now during a pandemic. She was ecstatic to accept the next day, and I really couldn't be any happier for her!
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.
