The candidate that I just placed teaches us a couple of lessons: 1) great academics and / or a great firm can sometimes make up for an overly niche practice area, 2) persistence on the part of the candidate and / or on the part of the Recruiter can really pay off and 3) really preparing for interviews can give a candidate a huge leg up and really maximize his or her chances of getting an offer.
But first, a summary of this candidate's background, experience and credentials. She is Class of 2014, went to a Top 25 law school, did decently well there, was on Law Review, participated in Moot Court, went to a strong UC undergraduate school, did a major in Math there (which I found impressive), was the President of her sorority and was a cheerleader. Her class year and law school were a definite plus, along with the fact that she was on Law Review and Moot Court. I personally found the Math major impressive, as it is difficult to find a lawyer, let alone a female lawyer, who completed an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. I also liked that she was the President of her sorority and was on the Dance Team in college, as both of these show leadership and commitment.
Now, for the downsides. This candidate started at a small firm post-graduation from law school, doing general business litigation (a very different practice area than her current one). She lateraled to her current firm, a well-respected firm in the OC, in May 2016, was able to break into Subdivisions Services, a particular niche of Real Estate (on the transactional side), and has been doing this type of work for the past 3+ years, almost 3 years when we began working together. The problem was that while my candidate's current practice is certainly related to general real estate transactional, my candidate doesn't currently draft real estate agreements - she does more compliance work, and although she does review these agreements, but she doesn't draft them herself. I knew that this would be our biggest challenge. Firms tends to be very cookie cutter in terms of class year and the type of experience that they're looking for, and neither this candidate's clear year nor her experience was a round peg fitting into a round hole.
To my candidate's credit, she was relatively open-minded about the types and sizes of firms that we were applying her to. She initially only wanted to apply to large firms, and we did get her an informational interview at a large national firm, but the interview was only a coffee interview with one Partner and the Partner ended up passing on her because her experience wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for. I knew that we were likeliest to get her traction with a smaller firm, as small firms tend to be much more open-minded in the type of experience that they're willing to entertain, they are more likely to be willing to train and it is harder for them to find good candidates.
This candidate ended up getting two offers at two boutique general real estate transactional firms, one in the OC (where she is currently based) and one in LA. Both firms liked her academics, credentials and her current firm, and both knew that they'd have to train (and were okay with this). One of the firms, the firm in LA, matched her current base, and even offered a $5K relocation bonus, since she'd have to move from the OC. The other firm offered $120K, with a lower billable hour requirement and generous bonus program, but my candidate preferred the certainty of a higher base.
In the end, even though my candidate won't be making more at her next firm, she knows that this is an amazing opportunity to expand and broaden her current practice, at a firm that is busy and has top-shelf clients and deals. In a year or two, I think that she will be able to lateral to any of the Big Law firms that we were initially targeting, once she gets the right experience under her belt. She is very excited about this opportunity to broaden her practice at an elite boutique real estate transactional firm, and I couldn't be happier for her!
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.
