The second reason is because firms want their attorneys to be disciplined and show follow-through and work stability, and they thus want to see a track record of stability in their new lateral attorney hires. Even though there can be legitimate reasons to make an earlier lateral move (as in this case), in most cases firms will be skeptical about this and worry that they will bring you on board and invest in you, only to have you decide to leave after a relatively short time there. This case study is about a placement that involved a candidate who was the exception to the rule, as she made a lateral law firm move after just one year of law firm practice. She made this move for a good reason, as she was motivated by professional grow. She moved from a good but small firm to a larger multi-office regional firm that offered additional opportunities to work on a variety of sophisticated finance matters. One of the factors that made this unique lateral move possible was the very impressive deal sheet that the candidate had put together. Even though she had only one year of experience, her deal sheet conveyed substance and sophistication more consistent with a mid-level candidate.
This candidate had done well at good schools. She had always been interested in finance, and after she graduated from law school she took a quasi-legal position with a leading investment bank. She also had other finance experience from having spent one of her summers working for the inhouse legal department of another bank.
She did well at the investment bank, but after she had been there for a few years she decided that she wanted to return to traditional legal practice, in a law firm, where she could work on sophisticated financial deals. She secured a position with a small firm in major city. This firm did sophisticated finance work, and exposed her to a number of interesting deals including banking deals, asset securitization deals, and municipal finance deals. The issue was that the firm was quite small, almost a boutique, so even though she was exposed to a variety of interesting matters, there was a limit on what she would see over the long-term. She was committed to a robust finance practice and she wanted to move to a larger firm, with additional resources, and additional access to training opportunities and deals to work on.
I thought she was a strong candidate - I liked her serious demeanor and her dedication to finance law. She was personable, self-possessed, responsive, and had a firm grasp of her long-term career goals. My only hesitation in working with her was that she had only been at her current firm for one year, and I knew that she was junior to be making her initial lateral move. However, my hesitation evaporated when I saw her very impressive deal sheet. It detailed all the different finance and corporate deals she had worked on with a description of the matters and what her role was in each one. I work with many mid-level and senior candidates in the transactional space, and it is rare that I see a deal sheet prepared with this level of care and detail. It told me that she was committed to, and passionate about, finance law, and that from day one of work she had been digging into and mastering the details of her deals as well stepping back and appreciating the big picture of where those deals fit into the larger corporate space and her career trajectory.
We began working together and applied to firms with openings as well as firms that might be interested in bringing this candidate on opportunistically. It was not too long before she got an interview with exactly the kind of firm she was looking for - a larger firm where she could take her practice to the next level. She went through the interview process and was hired! This placement shows that sometimes there are exceptions to the rule when it comes to how soon in your career you can make your first lateral move, and if you are a candidate hoping to make a move, you can only help yourself by taking the time and care to prepare a stand-out deal sheet.
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.
