This candidate was an example of this. There is no doubt this candidate is extremely smart. She is a double Georgetown graduate, having received her law degree and her bachelor's degree at Georgetown. She excelled tremendously in both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She majored in government and minored in philosophy and graduated in the top 7% of her class and was on the Dean's s List every semester.
Her performance in law school was no less impressive. She was the Managing Editor of the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review and participated in the Honors Law Clerk Program, where top law students were selected to work with attorneys at EPA headquarters. She was also judicial intern at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, handling claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
After law school, this candidate clerked for a year for a Superior Court Judge in New Jersey. After her clerkship she joined a small firm in New York City where she handled litigation matters related to general liability defense, premises liability, and the New York State Labor Law. In this role, she hit the ground running and received some quality hands-on experience, drafting and arguing motions, attending court conferences, handling discovery, negotiating settlement agreements, drafting appellate briefs, and taking and defending depositions.
After a couple of years she was recruited to another high volume firm, where she was responsible for handing 30+ New York and New Jersey litigation matters on the Complex Tort and General Casualty team . She represented premises owners, hospitals, and financial institutions in matters related to general liability defense, premises liability, wrongful death, property damage, and labor law.
Feeling confident in her premises liability litigation experience, this candidate decided to broaden the scope of her litigation practice and joined another litigation boutique where she met some great attorneys and worked on some interesting cases. Unfortunately for her though, the firm's insurance coverage practice was growing faster than its litigation and arbitration practice, and while she loved the people at the firm, she did not want to focus her practice on coverage litigation. She was looking for an opportunity to join a firm where she could handle a diverse and sophisticated array of litigation matters.
Not only was this candidate super smart, but she was well spoken, ambitious, and had a very positive outlook on her career and what she could contribute to a firm. Although she had already been at 3 firms in her career, which can be seen as a lot of movement for an associate, I was still very excited to present her to firms in both New York and New Jersey. I introduced her to about 25 firms, and she received one interview. But that one interview is all it took. The firm is a full service law firm with many accolades including a commitment to diversity and work life balance. Her first round of interview went extremely well, and she was invited back for a second round, which sealed the deal. She received a competitive offer and accepted shortly thereafter.
I'm very happy for this candidate, and I have a feeling that she will be at this firm for a long time and that partnership is in her future. Working with candidates like this goes to show that substantive experience can be just as valuable as working at a prestigious firm. It also proves that candidates have to be willing to approach many firms to find the right one at the right time. The broader the outreach the better the chances that they will find the right 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.
