As mentioned above, I have worked with several clerk candidates recently, and all of these candidates have landed jobs on their own in the last month or two (mostly at very small firms). Bankruptcy clerks seem to be getting more traction than traditional clerks, as bankruptcy generally does very well when the market and economy are not as robust. However, perhaps the best type of clerk candidate to be right now is a federal clerk candidate that has prior litigation experience at a firm from after law school. That is what the candidate that I just placed is. In terms of her background, she served as a summer law clerk and then worked after law school at a small boutique litigation firm in Honolulu, Hawaii for about two years. Then, she went to clerk on the United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Honolulu, Hawaii for a year. This candidate boast great academics from a local law school and from a local undergraduate school, studied abroad in Canada during college, was the Editor-in-Chief of her school's Law Review in law school, participated in Moot Court in law school and participated in Teach For America between college and law school. All of these things are very impressive - law firms even find studying abroad noteworthy, as they like well-rounded and worldly attorneys. I think the one real sticking point with this candidate was that she was only barred in Hawaii, and of course Hawaii, and in particular Honolulu, is a very, very small market. We ended up submitting this candidate to only two firms in Hawaii, as there were only two litigation openings at law firms in Honolulu.
However, lucky for us, this candidate was very open geographically. She approved firms in Chicago, Portland, Oregon, Houston, Seattle, Dallas, Austin, Honolulu, Amarillo, San Antonio and Plano. She didn't have ties to any of these markets except for Texas, where she lived for two years during TFA. While a couple of Texas firms expressed an interest in her, and one national, multioffice firm interviewed her for their Houston office, they ultimately decided to pass on her because she didn't have the Texas bar. While not having a particular state's bar doesn't necessarily pose a big hurdle to a top corporate candidate, I have noticed that even very strong litigators will have trouble getting traction in a state if they aren't barred there, or haven't at least sat for the bar.
We got very, very lucky because one national, multi-office firm with a Seattle office reached out to interview this candidate, and were, as luck would have it, very interested in her because they just happen to have a heavy Hawaii caseload, and they were intrigued by her strong ties to Hawaii and her Hawaii legal practice background. This firm only conducted one Zoom interview with my candidate before deciding to extend her an offer. They liked her so much that they gave her the option to work from their Seattle office, without having to sit for the WA State bar, or to work from Honolulu, where she could either work from home or from an office that they would open and set up for her! I have never seen a firm so invested in a candidate that they offer to open an office in a new market for the candidate. This was truly amazing! The firm also offered the candidate a higher base than what she was making at her previous firm, as well as a signing bonus to sweeten the deal. As this was the only firm to express interest in her and because the offer was solid, the candidate happily accepted. She will be starting with the firm in about two weeks, and is thrilled to have landed at a great firm in such a tough market. I couldn't be happier for her, and I know that she will excel at her new law 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.
