She was a strong candidate - having gone to a top law school, where she did well academically and did Journal work. She was also interesting because she had a dual major in both English and Business, and had participated in important law school clinics and organizations. She was working for a well-known firm in the insurance defense area, and though she had gotten great substantive litigation experience in terms of court appearances, trial work and depositions, it was not necessarily the kind of work that complex litigation firms value in their junior associates. It can be hard to make the move from insurance defense to complex litigation, regardless whether you are trying to do it in New York or Colorado.
Almost every lateral job search involves hurdles that must be overcome. This can be surprising for attorneys, especially when they did well at good law schools and had several offers and opportunities upon graduation. But things get progressively more difficult as attorneys get more senior and want to lateral. In the case of this candidate, in addition to this issue of moving from insurance defense to complex litigation, this candidate also had another issue, in that she was still relatively junior but already had three moves on her resume and this would be the fourth. She had worked at a smaller and less-well known firm prior to her current one and prior to that she had worked in a non-legal business position abroad. In one sense, her path was up, but in another sense the worry was that firms would see her as not having the kind of staying power and ability to commit they look for in associates. Generally speaking, to be the most marketable to law firms, attorneys should try to stick to legal jobs, in law firms, and to stay at each firm for at least two or three years.
But this was a very unique candidate - set apart by her substance and sparkle -and I felt confident that if we kept at it we could be successful. In addition to her solid academic credentials, she was multi-lingual, had a diverse array of interesting hobbies including sports, crafts and playing musical interests, and had a very engaging personality. This is someone whom I felt could find common ground and communicate with anyone. I knew she would do well in interviews and with clients, judges and juries.
The other issue, of course, was the relocation. Relocations can be tricky because the question firms always ask is "what is the candidate's connections to the new city?" They want to be sure that the candidate is really committed to the new market and is not just looking for an extended vacation. That is why firms like to see actual evidence of ties to that area, like the candidate grew up in the location and is returning home to stay or perhaps is moving there because his or her spouse got a new job in the market and that is prompting the move. In this case, this candidate was not from Denver, but she had spent considerable time there and had many friends in the area. Moreover, her application process corresponded with a major holiday, which she spent in Denver. This was very helpful. It meant she was making herself available to firms that wanted to interview her without those firms needing to arrange or pay for her to fly to Denver. Additionally, the fact that she was motivated enough to fly out to Denver and spend a major holiday there with friends gave credibility to the idea that she would be a good bet for committing to Denver for the long-term.
She started with a few screening phone interviews initially, and then we were able to arrange for several in-person meetings while she was in Denver. We made it work even though logistics were a bit of an issue due to the hectic holiday season. She made a great connection with one firm in particular and had an offer in hand in relatively short order. Within the month, she had given notice to her firm, packed her bags, and headed out to her new practice, life and firm in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!
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.
