The candidate that I just placed was a Class of 2014 family law litigator who is based in Dallas, Texas. In terms of his credentials, he went to a Top 60 law school and was very, very involved in trial competitions and moot court during his time there. His law school ranking is not bad, but I usually like to see candidates who went to at least a Top 50 law school, and ideally a Top 20 law school. If a candidate didn't attend a top law school, firms generally like to see that the candidate was in the top 5-10% of his or her graduating class. In the case of this candidate, while he was a member of the National Order of Barristers in 2014, he was not in the top of his law school class. However, I really liked all of the trial competition and moot court competitions listed on his resume. A firm that is looking to hire a more senior general litigator, and especially a family law litigator (family law litigators go to court a lot) is going to like to see a strong commitment to and interest in trial advocacy like this candidate exhibits. He also attended a well-regarded public school in Texas for college, and was very involved in roller hockey there. Interestingly enough, while law firms don't care much about sports club involvement in college, they do care about a candidate having played on their college's varsity sports team. Law firms like attorneys that show drive, commitment, stamina and endurance in all aspects of their lives, and having played a sport in college shows a high level of commitment and resilience, as well as an ability to juggle school and other commitments.
This candidate is also very involved in professional associations both related to law in general and family law specifically in both Texas and in Dallas, which firms really like to see in more senior attorneys. He also has several publications and speaking engagements related to family law on his resume, is board certified in family law and has several other certifications as well.
He has been at two firms since his graduation from law school - his first firm for about a year and a half, and his current firm for almost five years. Five years is a long time to have been at one firm, so this also speaks highly of the candidate and his commitment to his employer. Firms like to hire candidates that have been at their current firm for a long time, because this of course signals to the firm that the candidate is likely not a job hopper, and will hopefully stay with them for a long while. So, while this candidate didn't attend a top law school or do particularly well in law school, there are other mitigating factors on his resume that make him a strong candidate, especially in the family law arena.
We applied this candidate to about 35 to 40 firms in both Dallas (where he currently lives) and in Austin, where he has lived in the past. He ended up getting a lot of interest, perhaps unsurprisingly, given how hot family law is right now, given the depth and breadth of his family law experience and interest, given that he has strong ties to both Dallas and Austin, is currently located in Dallas and has the Texas bar. Texas is one of those markets that really likes to see local candidates, candidates who have strong ties to Texas and certainly candidates that are already barred in the state.
He ended up getting two interviews, both of which became offers, one in Austin and one in Dallas. In the end, he ended up accepting the Dallas offer, because the firm was willing to be flexible with and negotiate with him, upping his base salary to a substantially higher amount than the other firm's base offer. This is probably for the best, because the candidate would have otherwise needed to relocate to Austin from Dallas! Both the hiring firm and the candidate are very excited about the candidate's joining the hiring firm. I believe that it will be a great long-term match on both sides!
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.
