Placement of Senior Litigator without Book of Business in Maryland | BCGSearch.com

Placement of Senior Litigator without Book of Business in Maryland

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It is generally believed that senior litigators without a portable book of business are not marketable. While finding a job is definitely significantly more difficult when you a senior litigator without a portable book of business, it is certainly not impossible. Finding a job simply requires more patience and determination. You must reach out to more firms and be more open minded. Luckily, this candidate that was the case with this candidate and he found a great firm!

This candidate also had a lot going for him in that he had an extremely strong, although somewhat unconventional, background. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy, with distinction, from University of Michigan in 1991. After taking three years off, he returned to law school at the University of Michigan Law School for his J.D., graduating in 1996 cum laude and Order of the Coif. He was a Semifinalist in the Campbell Moot Court and a Contributing Editor with the Michigan Law Review.

After law school, this candidate served as a Federal Law Clerk for a judge with the US District Court for the District of Maryland. He began as an Associate with a local law firm before transitioning into public sector work as a Trial Attorney with the National Criminal Enforcement Section of the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division and then the State's Attorney Office for Montgomery County, Maryland. He then returned to his previous firm, first as an Associate and eventually made Partner.


During his career, this candidate had investigated and prosecuted complex financial and healthcare fraud matters. With minimal or no supervision, he led investigations of complex financial frauds, interviewed and placed witnesses before grand juries, reviewed millions of print and electronic documents, assembled and presented case materials for indictment and settlement recommendations, and saw complex cases through to resolution.

As a former federal antitrust prosecutor, he had particular insight and expertise regarding the workings of the Antitrust Division's criminal prosecuting units. He also had extensive experience and expertise with off-label promotion matters involving the Food and Drug Administration, as well as anti-kickback matters pursued by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General.

Since June of 2017, he had been Of Counsel at a regional law firm in the greater DC area.

There, this candidate gained extensive experience investigating and prosecuting complex financial and healthcare fraud matters and he had tried hundreds of cases before judges and juries. His experience included pharmaceutical and medical device marketing, physician relations, and securities and anti-fraud investigations. He also had extensive, broad healthcare litigation experience - in fact, he had 25 years of litigation experience with the healthcare industry at every level, including major market pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, hospitals, and individual medical groups.

Although this candidate was extremely highly regarded at his firm, there was only one other litigator there. He felt as if he were on an island and missed being a part of team.

Therefore, I put together an extensive list of local law firms with larger litigation practices for him to review and approve. I told this candidate that, as a senior litigator with no portable book of business, we would have to apply broadly. Luckily, this candidate was open-minded and agreed.

It took a few months of applying to firms, but eventually, this candidate received an interview at an excellent local firm. This candidate and I spent over an hour preparing for his initial phone interview on the phone and he felt extremely confident and prepared heading into his interview. The interview was just between him and the partner he would spend most of his time working for (the partner whose opinion certainly mattered the most!). As expected, he crushed his initial interview and shortly thereafter received a callback interview. We had another interview prep call, since this candidate's callback interview was to be held via WebEx, a video conferencing platform. Such videoconferencing callbacks have been extremely common during the Coronavirus pandemic. After going over a number of tips and tricks for succeeding in such interviews, this candidate went into his callback extremely confident and, again, had a great interview.

The firm did not care that he did not have a book of business because they were swimming in work. Moreover, in all other respects, the firm was a perfect fit for him. They quickly gave him a very competitive offer of $175,000 and he accepted. I'm certain this candidate will have a very successful career at his new firm! I am extremely happy for both him and the firm!


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.
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