In-House Senior Patent Attorney in the Midwest Who Believed Their Options Were Limited in Their City | BCGSearch.com

In-House Senior Patent Attorney in the Midwest Who Believed Their Options Were Limited in Their City

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A senior in-house patent attorney contacted me for help. The patent attorney was unemployed after the start-up company they worked for when out of business. Before this position, they worked for several years servicing a variety of small clients, and before that, the attorney had worked at several law firms in an of counsel capacity. This attorney had an exceptional background in chemistry and had received a Ph.D. from a top program and also a law degree from a top rank law school. The problem was that the attorney was quite senior and, in fact, was passed the retirement age of many law firms.
In-House Senior Patent Attorney in the Midwest Who Believed Their Options Were Limited in Their City

Despite this fact, I believe the attorney showed a lot of potentials. In fact, this attorney managed to generate business in several of the law firms they had been in and because their experience was so “niche” I knew there would be law firms that potentially had interest in the attorney. This was despite the fact that the attorney worked at numerous law firms, worked in-house and currently was unemployed. Oftentimes the rules that apply to attorneys— such as it is difficult to get a job if you are unemployed, is similar to the difficulty for a senior attorney to get a job. It is also difficult to go back to a law firm after an attorney has been in-house, or has no portable business. In short, do not apply when you are (or have been) a patent attorney in a niche practice area.
 
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes

Because of these drawbacks, the attorney was under the impression that they might need to relocate to other parts of the United States to find work. They worked in a major Midwestern market, and I told the attorney that I believe it was possible for them to find positions in that market; however, I did recommend they search a few other markets. For example, Boston is always very strong for biotech patent attorneys and the Palo Alto area is also quite strong. Due to this fact, we focused on those areas but kept the majority of our search in the Midwest.
   
One of the incredible benefits that we have at BCG Attorney Search is that we can go back in time and look at law firms that have had openings as long ago as 15 years. Here, I knew that were had very good odds that there would be firms that would’ve had openings in the past for attorneys with a similar chemistry background as my candidate. I also knew the likelihood there were small law firms with strong patent prosecution practices in the biotech arena who would also be interested in this candidate. Furthermore, I knew that there was a good opportunity to market this candidate to newer law firms that could benefit from my candidate’s business generation history as well as contacts in the legal industry.
 
I introduced the candidate to many of the big players in Boston and Palo Alto and immediately got a small amount of interest. However, early in the search the spouse of my candidate became ill, and it looked increasingly unlikely that the candidate would be able to relocate and take their spouse with them— they needed the family support nearby. At that point, I suggested that we cancel the interviews that we set up in Boston and Palo Alto and focus instead on the Midwestern market which the candidate was from. However, there were no openings to which I could market the candidate, and very few firms that did the type of work my candidate did.
 
Because there were no openings. I went back and researched the firms that had openings in the past and was able to find three firms with similar openings over the past 15 years. I was also able to find a few startup firms that were very new my candidate’s practice area. I contacted these firms and found one of the startups was extremely interested in my candidate. This firm was from outside the United States and needed someone with the seniority and experience that my candidate had. Also, the firm already had clients in the United States and needed someone like my candidate to meet and talk with these clients, eventually hire additional junior patent attorneys and be an overall “figurehead” within the office. This ended up being a perfect fit. Within a few days of the meeting, my candidate received an offer. It was a dream job they never could have anticipated when they came to BCG Attorney Search. What made the process even better was the position was in the city where the candidate and their spouse was living.


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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.
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