The candidate that I just placed was unfortunately not in the same position as the tech transactions candidate that I recently placed. She went to a Top 50 law school, and did decently well there, but not amazingly. She did participate in a lot of extracurriculars through her law school, but was not on the Law Journal, Moot Court, Mock Trial, etc. She went to a strong public school in California for her undergraduate studies, and completed a triple major there. While she is a fine candidate, there is nothing really remarkable about her, I hate to say. What I did like about her is that she was at a respectable Sacramento-based firm before being laid off, and also spent her 2L summer at this firm, and so obviously received an offer to join the firm post-graduation. She also did almost exclusively General Commercial Litigation at this firm, and did high-level legal research and writing during her short time at the firm. Within the realm of general litigation, I would say that general business / commercial litigation is the most marketable, as this is usually, high-level, sophisticated litigation on behalf of corporate clients. When a firm is looking for a general litigation associate, unless they specify otherwise, they usually want to see general business / commercial litigation experience. So while she only had six months of this experience, I liked the type of experience that she had.
We started submitting this candidate in late April, just after she had been laid off, and were working with her until the beginning of October, so for almost six months. We submitted her to literally hundreds of firms, literally hundreds, and she only obtained two interviews - one with a firm in the Central Valley, and the other with the firm that hired her. She declined the interview with the Central Valley firm, because she is from Palm Springs and had her heart set on landing at a firm in Southern California. It's too bad because I think that this first firm was a better career move for her, but I understand that location is everything to certain candidates, and the Central Valley is a tough pill to swallow for a lot of people. The firm that ended up hiring her is a plaintiff-side PI firm that does a lot of airbag and seatbelt cases, going up against major car manufacturers. I really like the owned and managing partner of the firm, and in fact just placed a very senior PI attorney at this very same firm about a month ago. When I submitted this candidate to the firm, the partner was immediately interested because I had very recently submitted another great candidate to him that he had hired.
He had been receiving hundreds of resumes through LinkedIn and Indeed, etc., but chose to interview my candidate because he trusted my judgment and the kinds of candidates that I work with (therein lies a big part of the value of working with a Recruiter - if the Recruiter has a good relationship with a certain firm, that firm is likely to preference the Recruiter's candidates over others). My candidate had a phone interview with the partner, a phone interview with another first year at the firm and then went in on a Saturday to meet with the partner in-person. The partner loved my candidate, and vice versa, and he emailed me to extend my candidate an offer that very same day, on a Saturday. My candidate was very, very excited to finally receive an offer, and after a bit of negotiating in terms of base and relocation stipend, my candidate was thrilled to accept. The partner is also thrilled to have my candidate come onboard, and she will be starting with the firm in less than two weeks. I couldn't be happier for my candidate or the firm, and I know that it will be a perfect and long-term match!
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.
