For example, my most recent placements have been in Riverside, Seattle and now Santa Barbara. While Seattle is of course not a small market, it is certainly a lot smaller of a market than the Bay Area or LA, and I would qualify it as a small major market. My most recent placement was all three of these things - at a small, boutique litigation firm, in Labor & Employment / Employment Litigation, and in Santa Barbara. Labor & Employment / Employment is always a very hot practice area in California, and while it is not as niche as bankruptcy, tax or ERISA, it is still considered a specialty practice area, unlike general litigation.
In terms of this candidate's background, she attended a Top 20 law school and did fairly well there, graduating in 2015. She also attended a top public university for undergraduate, and graduated with a double major magna cum laude. She started her career at a small, boutique Labor & Employment firm in LA, and then after two years there, I helped her make an upwards lateral move to a national, multi-office, Labor & Employment firm with a strong presence in California. She was at this firm for about a year and three quarters, at which point both she and her husband (who is also a lawyer and a Big Law Associate) decided to leave their firms, take several months off, travel, enjoy life and relocate to Santa Barbara, where her husband is from and where his family lives. They plan on settling down there long-term. Now, I must say that this was somewhat of a risky move on both of their parts. I never recommend that a candidate leave his or her firm without having another opportunity or job lined up. While people can have all sorts of reasons for leaving their firm - a sick family member, being burned out and wanting to take a vacation, personal health or a toxic former work environment - this will almost always raise a big red flag in the minds of potential employers. You may have a perfectly justifiable reason for leaving your former firm, but prospective employers will usually assume the worst. Only in certain very unique situations will employers be willing to look past a candidate being currently unemployed, especially on his or her own volition.
However, it's a bit less of a risk if the candidate is strong, and is looking to relocate to a small / niche market, where it is hard to find strong candidates with real connections to that market. My candidate and her husband did take a risk in leaving their firms, but because they both have great academics and great, high-level, sophisticated and complex post-graduate firm experience (and several years of it), they will both land on their feet. My candidate certainly did! A high-level litigation boutique in Santa Barbara called our company asking us to fill a job order for them. They were looking for a strong candidate with a Big Law background, with strong ties to Santa Barbara. This is obviously very hard to find, which is probably why they reached out to us in the first place. When I saw the job order, I immediately thought of this candidate. I applied her to only this firm, and they immediately responded wanting to set up an interview with her. They didn't seem to mind that she was currently unemployed. The firm conducted two Zoom interviews with her, and decided to extend an offer after the second Zoom interview. The only hiccup was that my candidate doesn't and didn't want to start until December or January (even though it is currently the end of August). She eventually conceded a bit and asked them if she could start on November 30th, even though the offer letter asked that she start no later than November 1st. Now, I was very worried that the firm would respond negatively to this request, and might even rescind the offer for asking to start a month later, when they had already been flexible and understanding in suggesting a November 1st start date, given her desire to take another several months' vacation. But the managing partner called me and said that he understood being burned out, wanting to take a vacation for several months, and that he himself had been very burned out after Big Law. Even though this firm has three trials coming up, the MP agreed to allow my candidate to start November 30th. She is, of course, thrilled, and accepted as soon as she got this news! I am so happy that she landed on her feet, despite being unemployed, at a great, reputable litigation boutique that pays well and is very well-respected in Santa Barbara for its caliber of cases and clients. I couldn't be happier for her!
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.
