However, there are some exceptions to this general rule. An unemployed candidate with a book of business may still get substantial traction through a Recruiter. A candidate whose practice is very niche, high-level and desirable may also be able to easily overcome the fact that he or she is not currently employed (think, land use, real estate transactional, tax, etc.). And, as was the case with the candidate that I just placed, an otherwise very well-credentialed candidate with sophisticated experience and a good reason for being unemployed may also still be marketable through a Recruiter.
I recently worked with and placed a candidate who had left her firm in March, due to her own personal / familial difficulties (which she was not afraid to discuss with me or in an interview with a firm, if necessary). She was Class of 2016, at a top Am Law 100 firm, doing financial and securities litigation and white collar defense (very sophisticated, high-level work) and graduated in the top of her class from law school. She both spent her 2L summer at the Am Law 100 firm that she had recently left, and was with the firm for around two and a half years, a good amount of time to really build up her experience, skills and expertise. This candidate also had two references from the Am Law 100 firm that she recently left, and listed both on her resume. I think that this is a very smart idea. You or your Recruiter can explain in your cover letter that you do have very positive references from the firm that you recently left, but actually seeing the names, titles, phone numbers and emails of specific Partner references on the resume can really help an unemployed candidate's case. I recently placed another very impressive unemployed candidate, and he too had listed around four or five Partner references on his resume, from his Top Am Law 100 firm, and I think that this really made a difference for him as well.
This candidate also did not mind me sharing in the cover letter that I drafted for her the reason for her departure from her firm in March. I think that if possible, being able to list a reason for no longer being at your firm can really help, because as mentioned above, if you don't do so, you will leave the firm guessing, and the firm will unfortunately normally assume the worst.
This candidate was also quite reasonable in her search, even though she hadn't really been searching before we connected. She had taken a few months off to deal with her personal life, and was now ready to jump back in and hit the job search ground running. Although this candidate was somewhat selective in the types of firms that she approved, she did approve firms of all sizes, boutique, mid-sized and Big Law. I think that for an unemployed candidate, this is the best thing that one could do for oneself, as the truth of the matter is that Big Law firms are probably going to be the most hesitant about and skeptical of unemployed candidates, and they also have the luxury of considering the cream of the crop candidates that are still employed at their Big Law firms.
This candidate did end up getting two interviews - one at a top Am Law 100 firm, and another at a high-level boutique firm filled largely with Big Law refugees, who had likely burned out of Big Law but were still looking to do high-level, sophisticated work. Interestingly, the Partner at the Am Law 100 firm that conducted the initial phone screen of my candidate knew one of her references at her old Big Law firm, and said that he would call that reference to ask about my candidate, but ended up passing on her before even connecting with her reference. I really do think that this is because he or the other Partners at the firm decided that it wasn't worth the risk to take on a candidate that had left her firm.
Fortunately, the boutique firm that also interviewed her was very, very interested in her background, pedigree and experience, and once I told them the reason for my candidate leaving her old firm, they never asked about it again. They didn't even ask about it in my candidate's callback interview, despite the fact that she met with more than five different attorneys during her callback! I think that this is because this firm is a lot more open-minded in terms of work-life balance, and realizes that an attorney's personal life can indeed interrupt his or her work life, and is accepting of this fact.
My candidate went through two in-person interviews with the boutique firm, and they ended up extending her an offer. The base that she was offered is actually not too far from the top-paying, Cravath-scale firms, and the firm's billable hour requirements are only 1,600 hours! I think that this is exactly the sort of opportunity that my candidate was looking for - the opportunity to jump back in, get high-level, sophisticated litigation and trial experience, but without the pressures to grind out 2,400 hours a year. She is very, very excited to be joining the firm in a little less than a week, and I couldn't be happier for her! I know that she will excel at her new elite boutique 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.
