In terms of the candidate's background, he went to law school with me at a Top Three law school, and went to a top public school for his undergraduate studies (also similarly to me!). He did well at the top public school in college, graduating with distinction, and was on the dean's list during his time there. During law school, he was very, very focused on public interest. He did several public interest-focused fellowships and clinics, including an employment clinic for lawyers for civil rights, and did an externship with the American Civil Liberties Union. He is also diverse. All in all, his background was very public-interested oriented, and so it is probably no surprise that he ended up at the American Civil Liberties Union in New York after graduating from law school, where he did a post-graduate fellowship in public interest law. He then went to the New York City Commission on Human Rights in New York, before landing at his current firm, a plaintiff-side Labor & Employment and ERISA boutique firm in DC. His firm is well-respected in the plaintiff space, and he has gained a lot of really great, substantive experience there. However, he had only been at the firm for a year and a half when we started searching together, and has of course only worked at a firm for a year and a half out of five years since he graduated from law school. I really wasn't sure how firms would view his public interest background, and his long stints at non-firm, public interest agencies. However, this candidate of course had stellar credentials, and his background screams plaintiffside Labor & Employment. So, I figured that we could, if we were lucky, find him a great plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firm that he could lateral to.
That is, of course, exactly what we were able to do! I started submitting this candidate to firms in early to mid November, and only submitted him to a couple of batches of firms. I knew that defenseside firms likely wouldn't be interested in him, given his plaintiff-side and public interest background, so I mostly submitted him to plaintiff-side Labor & Employment and ERISA firms, and threw in a couple of defense-side firms into the mix, just to see what would happen. All in all, I submitted this candidate to only seven firms total (one of these seven was one of the plaintiff-side Labor & Employment firms in New York that my college friend worked at before going to my defense-side general complex civil litigation boutique in Silicon Valley!). Very quickly after submitting the candidate, I got a call the week of Thanksgiving from a partner who ran his own plaintiff-side Labor & Employment boutique in DC, who really liked my candidate's background and wanted to interview him ASAP, since he had been interviewing a lot of people recently and seemed like he was about to extend an offer to another. So, I arranged a call between the partner and my candidate the next day, the day before Thanksgiving. My candidate didn't even have time to prepare for the interview, but it seemed like it was going to be a casual conversation. Crazily enough, while the conversation was casual and mostly focused on my candidate's experience, the partner liked my candidate so much that he gave him an offer I believe on the spot! This is especially crazy because they didn't even have the chance to speak over video or meet in-person. It's very unusual that a firm extends an offer after just one phone call.
My candidate was very excited about the offer, and happened to have a friend of a friend that used to work at the firm, as well as a friend of a friend that was currently at the firm. After speaking with these connections as well as the partner another time, he decided that he really liked the partner, the firm and the opportunity, and he accepted! Usually things don't work out as quickly as they did in this case - it's very hard to get an offer after only having applied to seven firms and having interviewed at one! But I'm so glad that they did and I couldn't be happier for the firm or my candidate. It seems like a perfect match on both ends!
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.
