Unemployed Bankruptcy Attorney in Chicago Seeking a New Position | BCGSearch.com

Unemployed Bankruptcy Attorney in Chicago Seeking a New Position

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An unemployed bankruptcy attorney in Chicago contacted me seeking a new position in Chicago. The attorney had gone to a top law school in college and lost their position after approximately a year and a half practice. In addition, the attorney had somewhat of an unusual background because they had never gotten a position as a summer associate either. They had run into trouble getting their first job out of law school and had worked in a public interest job for a year before getting their first position.
A. Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes
There are many students from top law schools for whom getting a position in a law firm during law school is easy and others for whom it is not. Every year, there are several attorneys in major law schools around the country—including the most prestigious— who are unable to get summer associate jobs during law school and who also do not get jobs with law firms after law school. There is nothing wrong with this for people who want to do other things but when someone does want to work in a major law firm and is unable to get a position this is often a sign that they may be doing something wrong. Here, this attorney was simply maturing into the law firm environment at a different rate than his peers. For many, getting a position in a law firm is something that is easy and for others it is not. Law firms require people to have a certain level of professionalism and act a certain way in order to get jobs there and that everyone has this right away.
 
Unemployed Bankruptcy Attorney in Chicago Seeking a New Position

This attorney also was dealing with an issue that was somewhat serious because they were not employed at the moment. Not being employed is something that tends to send alarm signals to future employers because it means that the attorney may have quit their job without one lined up— something that shows an inability to persevere, or that the attorney may have been fired. Law firms prefer attorneys that are employed and have a demonstrated commitment to practicing with a law firm. Here, this attorney had never been in the summer associate job and also was unemployed and this was concerning for many law firms.
 
Despite these negative issues, this attorney had many attractive characteristics that I knew would sell well to law firms. They had experience with a top law firm and had outstanding educational credentials. In addition, the attorney appeared to have learned a lesson from the difficulty of getting a summer associate position, an initial position with a law firm after law school and from the current unemployment. Once an attorney has had a few difficult lessons, they are often much better for and will be much more attractive to future law firms. In this case, I believe that this attorney was going to excel in their next job and it simply matured into a law firm echo system at a slower rate than many of his peers.
 
There is always a law firm for everyone and a talent a legal recruiter can find these firms. Here, major law firms shied away from this turning because they believed that he might be problematical in his next position. However, I was able to find a couple of very prestigious smaller firms—including one that had just opened an office in Chicago— that were interested in the candidate. These law firms needed someone with his background and experience in were also attracted to his excellent educational pedigree. A short while after interviewing with one of the law firms, the law firm was excited to make the attorney and offer and did. The attorney was hired a short while after in the law firm appeared to be a good fit for the attorney in all respects. It was a successful placement and a good result for an attorney that was just slower to acclimate the law firm environment that many of their peers.
 
One thing I will say, is that the attorneys that have a more difficult time adjusting to the law firm environment initially are often the ones that appreciate their position in the law firm environment and end up persevering and staying the longest in the end. I’m hoping that is the result that will happen for this attorney.
 

 


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:

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.

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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.

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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.
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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.
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  • 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.

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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.


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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