As with any attorney with whom I work who is currently out of work, I asked him to offer up references from his former firm affirmatively to prospective firms to show that he left on excellent standing and that there are/were no issues with him or his work. The candidate kept refusing to offer up any references, even when firms later asked for them, saying that his references were too busy to be contacted by multiple firms. We talked for hours about this, and he kept promising to talk with two references in particular. By this point, he had not been working for about 6 months.
Looking at finance practices in Philadelphia, we applied to about 15 firms. Initially, the candidate wanted to apply to only two or three, and he kept communicating the impression that he would be able to have his pick and that he was also looking in-house. He truly believed that any prospective employer he approached would offer him a job almost immediately, given where he had come from.
It is a delicate matter to acknowledge a candidate's strengths and agree with their reasons for having such confidence but, also, to do my job and point out his "weaknesses": 1) he was unemployed and would not provide references, 2) he was senior (and coupled with 1, it will be assumed that he was not going to make partner at his previous firm and that is why he left or that it was suggested to him to look elsewhere), 3) he had no portable business or client relationships moving with him and even if he did, he was looking in a different, smaller market. In a sense, he was starting over, and at too senior a level to be too choosy. His practice, though, can really only be carried out at a particular level of a firm, so we could not look at too small of firms. I shared with the candidate anecdotes of strategies I had employed with my top candidates, and just how many firms we had to apply to even when there were not great weaknesses in their candidacy. Another challenge I had with this candidate is his expectation that a firm in Philadelphia would bring him on at the same level of compensation at his top-paying firm in New York, even though again, he was senior with no business and, currently unemployed. He had been making $340K as a base with a large bonus. Compensation in New York is not the same as in Philadelphia and I had to keep explaining this to him and I sent him evidence to show this.
One firm initially showed strong interest and asked for references. We sort of held off the references, asking to provide them after interviews. This raised red flags for the firm and, we learned later, ultimately, caused them to not pursue the candidate later. The firm did have an initial meeting with the candidate, and requested a second, but then took their time in scheduling it. Meanwhile, two more firms asked to meet with the candidate, and both proceeded to second rounds. Of the three, two were more highly-ranked firms than the third, and the candidate seemed more focused on those two. At the same time, I learned that the candidate was going to be interviewing with another really strong firm and he had applied to this firm through another recruiter. I went back to all three firms he was interviewing with through me and told them they needed to move quickly. It was at this time that, of the three firms, the first one to show interest, made an oral offer that was considerably lower than what we expected. When we tried to negotiate, the firm said no and pulled their offer and stated that, actually, the partners did not feel comfortable making the offer or bringing him on without having been able to check his references at the outset. The candidate's refusal to provide references did not sit well with them.
So, now it was down to two through me, and this third firm he was interviewing with outside of me. The candidate kept telling me he was very confident in that third firm meeting all his desires in an offer. The two firms I was working with scheduled extra meetings and dinners with the candidate. When each made offers, they were very close, and then the second said they would match the first. The candidate then went back to the third firm and gave them an ultimatum. That firm did not ever come through with an offer. Somewhat surprisingly, the candidate accepted an offer as Counsel with the lesser-ranked firm in which he had initially seemed less interested. His reasoning is that he would be a larger fish in a slightly smaller pond-he thought his growth opportunities there were better, and he was impressed by an appreciated their efforts and willingness to "go all out" to bring him on.
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.
