Labor & employment was also very, very hot before March, and while we are still seeing some movement in this practice area, it is nothing like the movement that we were seeing before March. Currently, bankruptcy, tax, trusts & estates, patent prosecution to some extent and other niche practice areas are doing very well. Whereas bankruptcy was very slow before March, it is now booming. Interestingly, while litigation was active before the pandemic, it appears to be very active now. This is despite the fact that trials have been postponed and certain courts are still closed, in some cases until next year. However, firms are quickly adapting to this new work environment and world, and in the realm of litigation, firms are using Zoom for mediations, arbitrations, client calls and other conferences. They say that 90% of cases settle before going to trial, and if this really is the case, it doesn't surprise me that litigation continues to be active. Litigation involves a lot of legal research, writing and other pre-litigation work, that would not require courts to be open.
In regard to the candidate that I just placed, he is rather a unique candidate, and is different than the sorts of candidates that I typically work with. He graduated from a low-ranked law school, although he was in the Top 30% of his class there, obtaining his J.D. in 2005. For his undergraduate studies, he attended a low-ranked state university in California, graduating with a B.A. in 1994. In other words, his academics were average to below average, and he is quite a senior candidate. He started his career at a local litigation firm in Las Vegas, and then lateraled to a national insurance defense firm with a decent reputation. He was at the insurance defense firm very briefly before lateraling to a local firm in Sacramento. The candidate ended up staying at this Sacramento firm for about twelve years, splitting his time between Sacramento, Las Vegas and Incline Village, NV, and so obtaining state court experience in both California and Nevada. He ended up becoming an Equity Partner and the Managing Partner of the firm's Las Vegas office, an impressive feat, and his practice centered around dental malpractice, medical malpractice, construction defect, automobile accidents and other personal injury matters in California and Nevada. At this firm, he obtained extensive second chair trial experience (15+ trials) and even first chair trial experience on two cases. His first and second chair trial experience is what convinced me to work with this candidate.
Believe it or not, it is surprisingly difficult for firms to find candidates that have any trial experience, let alone first chair experience. I did get the feedback from a couple of firms that he didn't have enough trial experience, so for certain firms, especially plaintiff-side shops, they may expect to see even more than two trials as first chair, but in the end, his trial experience was enough to get him a solid job. Interestingly enough, this candidate lateraled to another firm in Las Vegas just eight months ago, and is now on the plaintiff-side, whereas the majority of his career and experience have been on the defense-side. I was a little concerned about how potential employers would view the mixed plaintiff and defense-side experience, and was concerned that conflicts might be an issue, but fortunately this was not an issue. I was also concerned that firms would be wary to hire someone who had just switched firms eight months ago.
I submitted this candidate to only about 15 firms, in LA, the OC and San Diego. He wanted to relocate from Las Vegas to Southern California in order to be closer to his children. He obtained only one interview through me, at a plaintiff-side boutique in the OC that specializes in car defect litigation, on huge, multi-million dollar cases against major car manufacturers (I think that the firm's specialty is defective airbags). He was also interviewing at an elder abuse litigation firm in the OC, and a personal injury firm in LA that he had applied to on his own.
My firm conducted an initial Zoom interview with him, and then had him come into the OC office to meet with the managing partner and the Director of Operations. The managing partner of the firm really liked him, but told me that he would need training before the MP could throw him in as first chair on the firm's major cases. However, the candidate had enough second chair experience that the managing partner felt like he was worth the investment.
My firm ended up offering him a base of $150K, and the elder abuse litigation firm offered him $200K. My firm eventually went up to $185K, because they wanted to extend a competitive offer, and because my candidate liked this firm, the managing partner and his cases so much, he decided to accept, even at the lower base. My candidate is very excited to make the transition from medmal and dental mal to automobile defect litigation, is very excited at the prospect of going up against major car manufacturers in court and is excited to train under the managing partner of my firm. I think that this opportunity will be an amazing learning and growth opportunity for my candidate, as well as a chance to relocate to sunny Southern California and be closer to his children. I couldn't be happier for this candidate, and I know that he will excel at his new firm home!
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.
