He came to us at a crossroads, as most attorneys do. Always quick on his feet and instinctively drawn to the courtroom, after he graduated from law school he had joined the district attorney's office in a major metropolitan area. He spent several years there - not only prosecuting cases and doing trial work - but also working on appeals in the appellate division. He had even worked on cases of first impression and in the high court of the state. The work was stimulating and important, but after several years in the trenches he decided that a career in civil litigation might be a better fit for the long-term.
He "bridged" the gap for a year by clerking for a federal magistrate judge, as magistrate judges handle both criminal and civil matters. Interestingly, magistrate judges handle criminal matters like search warrants, arrest warrants, bail hearings and preliminary hearings. On the civil side, magistrate judges also handle discovery and pre-trial matters, write reports and recommendations about dispositive matters, and sometimes even preside over jury and bench trials. When his clerkship ended, this candidate contacted BCG for help in taking the next step into the civil arena.
I connected with this candidate immediately. I liked his energy, intellectual curiosity, and strong work ethic. I liked that he had followed his heart and served the public. I liked that he was brave enough to do trials but also stay at the top of his game in legal research and writing by taking on the toughest appeals and burning the midnight oil to leave no cite unchecked. I liked that he had gone to an HBCU and participated in BLSA and other beneficial organizations while at his Top-10 law school. He had also interned for a congressman and did additional legislative work for a worthy cause. He had multiple references from all of his jobs and even law school professors ready to go, which is also very helpful in lending credibility to a candidate. This was someone I could get behind, even though I knew what he was trying to do was challenging!
Making a legal placement is a team effort. My part was to help this candidate think broadly and provide him with as many possibilities as I could, as I did not know what would eventually be the match. This meant I had to research possible firms and opportunities on a weekly basis and send them to the candidate. I also needed to help firms understand that many of the skills he cultivated in the DA's office and clerkship were transferable to a civil litigation context. For example, this includes research and writing, attention to detail, understanding the rules of evidence, and, as a law clerk, seeing various civil matters like discovery disputes and motion practice.
The candidate's part was to stay motivated, optimistic and open-minded, approve the firms I sent him, and be as responsive as possible to the process. He definitely did his part. He stayed open minded when I suggested different markets where I thought he could be placed and he always immediately reviewed the firms I sent him. He approved almost all of the firms and he did so quickly. One of the problems that can derail a job search is if the candidate gets discouraged and throws in the towel because something does not work out right away. But that did not happen with this candidate. He stayed focused and excited throughout the process.
We each came through on our team effort. After just a few months he landed a position working on class action cases. It was a great fit and tapped into his strengths of research and writing, his desire to use his law degree in a socially impactful manner, and his goal of one day making his opening and closing statements to juries sitting in civil courtrooms. The lessons from this placement is that you can make the switch from criminal to civil law, so long as you can show a solid track record of achievement, make a convincing argument as to how your skill set is transferable, and be open to a variety of opportunities and markets to make the next step.
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.
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.
