With regard to the candidate that I just placed, he is currently a law clerk on the staff attorney's office of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, NY, and has been serving as a law clerk since his graduation from law school, for the past two years. Now, normally, a federal appeals court clerkship, is very, very prestigious, but the Staff's Attorney's Office is a different beast entirely, and is not in actuality a traditional federal clerkship. A candidate might take this sort of position if that candidate wasn't able to secure a normal federal clerkship. However, the candidate can still obtain great legal research and writing experience through such a "clerkship", as this candidate did. This candidate also did not summer at a firm either his 1L or 2L summer. Normally, firms want to see that a candidate summered at a firm for at least his or her 2L summer, and the bigger, more national and more prestigious the firm, of course the better. This candidate, however, did attend a Top 10 law school, did well there, participated in Moot Court, went to a well-respected undergraduate school in Seattle and double majored there, graduating magna cum laude and is barred in both NY and WA State.
The great thing about this candidate is that he was very, very, very flexible with regard to geography. He allowed us to submit him to the majority of the 50 states, which is pretty incredible for a solid junior litigation candidate like him. He is from Seattle and his entire family and most of his friends live there, but he was open to Las Vegas, where he has family, Phoenix, Denver, Portland, OR and Alaska - almost all of the states that I work on the West Coast. He was also open to very small markets in the Midwest and on the East Coast - markets like Concord, NH, Cleveland, OH, Long Island, NY and upstate NY. I think that this candidate was always the strongest sell for Seattle, as he has very strong ties to this market and is barred in WA State, as well as smaller markets in the Midwest and on the East Coast. He is not as strong of a candidate for NYC, which is a very competitive market. NYC would want to see a candidate with a top federal or state court clerkship (ideally federal), and ideally who had summered at a firm his or her 2L year if not his or her 1L year as well. California is the same, and this rule holds true for other major markets like DC, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta, but this is especially the case in SF, LA, NYC and DC, probably the largest markets in the country.
Sure enough, this candidate obtained many interviews, in markets as diverse as Seattle, Las Vegas, Concord, NH, Cleveland and Long Island. He ended up obtaining an offer from a small litigation firm in Seattle, another offer from a small litigation boutique in Las Vegas and an offer from a litigation boutique in Cleveland, OH. Ultimately, he decided to go with the Seattle firm, because he is already barred in WA State, his entire family and most of his friends live there and the firm was able to offer him more than the Cleveland firm did. While the firm that he is joining and small and doesn't have a big presence in WA State or of course nationally, this candidate is very excited to land anywhere during a pandemic. I couldn't be happier for him, and I know that he will excel at his new firm home!
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.
