The candidate that I just worked with and eventually placed was just such a highly qualified, well-credentialed mid-level to more senior general complex commercial litigator. He had been at a top Am Law 100 firm in NYC for about three and a half years, practicing general commercial and white collar litigation, and then lateraled to a top Am Law 100 firm in LA, where he practiced general commercial litigation and a bit of antitrust for a little over three years, until he was laid off. He attended a Top 10 law school where he had done decently well, a top public university for his undergraduate studies and was licensed to practice law in both California and New York (which some firms place a high premium on). Of course, the experience that he gained at the two Am Law 100 firms was high-caliber, sophisticated pre-litigation experience. However, this candidate is a seventh, almost an eighth year, doesn't have a portable book of business and was recently laid off from his latest Big Law firm due to COVID-19-related budget cuts. I knew that we would find him something, but that it was likely to be a smaller firm.
He wanted to search both in DC and in Southern California, as he is from Southern California but is currently and temporarily located in DC with his partner during this quarantine and remote work time. I knew that he was a lot likelier to get traction in Southern California than in DC, because DC is a very competitive market, is a smaller market than California and even Southern California and is saturated with highly-credentialed lawyers. DC also generally has a few smaller firms and a lot of Big Law firms, and I knew that this candidate was likelier to get real traction with smaller firms. Southern California, and especially LA, in contrast, has a lot of smaller, more boutique litigation shops, in addition to a lot of Big Law firms. I had recently placed one of this candidate's old colleagues, who was also laid off from their old firm due to COVID, at a boutique firm in LA, and I thought that it was likely that I could do the same for this candidate.
We ended up applying this candidate to a lot of firms in both DC and Southern California, and all of his interviews ended up coming from Southern California. He interviewed with one top national firm in the OC for a more senior antitrust position, but was unfortunately rejected. He also obtained two interviews at two boutique litigation shops in LA, and ended up receiving offers from both. One of the two has more complex cases and larger clients, is more prestigious and pays quite a bit more than the other boutique, and he ended up accepting this offer. The firm is also allowing him to work remotely from DC until early next fall, which is pretty amazing. A lot of firms are working remotely right now due to COVID-19, but the unspoken expectation is that once the pandemic ends, hopefully in the summer, everyone will return to the office. This firm claims that it will be fine with partial remote work and possibly even fully remote work going forward, even after the pandemic ends. This is just an added bonus for the candidate, in addition to the fact that he will gain a lot of pre-litigation and even trial experience at this elite boutique (they really market themselves as an aggressive trial boutique). The candidate is very excited to start at the firm soon, and I couldn't be more excited for him! I'm so glad that we were able to find him a great long-term law firm home, even despite his seniority and the fact that he was out of work. I know that he will excel at his new elite boutique law firm home!
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.
