Senior Corporate Attorney Makes Move to Big Law With Class Year Flexibility | BCGSearch.com

Senior Corporate Attorney Makes Move to Big Law With Class Year Flexibility

Print/Download PDF

Font Size

By 

 from  Office 

Rate this Case Study

This candidate has an interesting path that is really worth exploring. She came to BCG on the senior side, having graduated almost 8 years before. She graduated from a respected law school, top-50, where she was not in the top of her class. She earned her undergraduate degree at a well respected public university where she really excelled, graduating in the top of her class with an almost perfect GPA. This candidate went straight to law school upon graduating from collece.
Senior Corporate Attorney Makes Move to Big Law With Class Year Flexibility

As a result, this candidate could not receive a big law offer upon graduation, and instead took a position at a small-mid-sized firm in the New York area in the corporate work. This candidate also graduated from law school during the heyday of the Lehman crash, which also made landing a position that much more difficult. The candidate was smart, and took what she could at the time, and was able to find a firm that did not lay off or fire, which is not the case for many other attorneys.

 
While there, she got fantastic experience in the corporate practice group, where she had a really generalist background. Knowing it would make sense to leave that firm, she was able after the market started moving again in the corporate world to land a position at a strong mid-sized firm, which was a crucial step in her career. She remained with the firm for four years, and was even moved to the Counsel title given her seniority. While there, she had a large focus on M&A, however, she also did corporate finance including capital markets, making her a well rounded corporate generalist in a continued manner. The firm allowed her to really delve into her experiences, although the firm was not paying market and it was often a difficult place to be.
 
She then made a third lateral move to another mid-sized firm at a Counsel title again, where she focused more generally on corporate contract work. While there, she negotiated numerous agreements and helped work on large REIT transactions, among other matters.
 
This candidate came to BCG, as a result, with three moves under her belt, and a senior class year and corporate title, and she had never worked in big law, although she made smart moves in her career and managed to stay in sophisticated corporate work despite the realities of the market at the time. She was ready and excited to make a move to big law after all this time, and she approached BCG and one of our recruiters to see if she could make that a reality. On her own, she was not having any luck, which is often the case. BCG saw a lot of potential in this candidate, and were very impressed with her corporate background. We helped her put together a killer deal sheet to really show her experience.
 
We also had a lot of long conversations about title and class year flexibility. Big law would be unlikely to bring her in as Counsel and certainly at her class year there is little needs. The candidate understood this perfectly, and realized the importance of getting in the door at big law. Even with class year flexibility and class title flexibility, it is still a difficult move at her seniority, and that is where we at BCG can be a strong help for her. Without BCG, if she sent her resume into firms, they would pass, but we use our resources to show firms what is special about her and to convince them that she is open and flexible for what makes sense for their firm.
 
This candidate ultimately received two interviews at top big law firms in a very competitive market space. She eventually received an offer to join as an Associate at a senior associate level, which for her was a significant huge pay raise and got her in the door at one of the top firms in the country, which was always her goal from graduation, but one that took time to work towards. The candidate was able to do this despite it being her 4th move, which can also be difficult for firms when hiring. We at BCG helped get her these fantastic interviews and opportunities, and she blew them away once she got in the door at the firm for the interviews. She is now happily at the firm and has been extremely successful there!
 
We feel honored at BCG to have helped her realize her dream and land somewhere great!!

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.

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.


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.

AGREE/DISAGREE? SHARE COMMENTS ANONYMOUSLY! We Want to Hear Your Thoughts! Tell Us What You Think!!

More Case Studies

View All
We've changed thousands of lives over the past 25 years, and yours could be next.

When you use BCG Attorney Search you will get an unfair advantage because you will use the best legal placement company in the world for finding permanent law firm positions.