The #1 Red Flag Law Firms Watch for in Partner-Level Candidates

Description

In this Q&A video, Harrison Barnes discusses the red flags law firms look for during partner-level transitions. He explains that frequent job changes are a major concern, as they can suggest that an attorney's book of business is either non-existent or underperforming. Barnes emphasizes that law firms may question whether an attorney who has moved several times failed to deliver on promises of business or client relationships. For candidates without business, firms are also concerned with whether the attorney’s personality will allow them to work well with others and adapt to a more collaborative environment. Ultimately, he stresses that the most significant red flag is a pattern of frequent movement between firms.

Question:
What are some red flags law firms look for in candidates during partner-level transitions? How can I proactively address or mitigate these concerns in my application and during interviews?

Answer:
That depends on the business, but the red flags are often related to a lot of movement. Frequent moves suggest that your book of business may not be real or is not performing as expected. One of the biggest red flags is simply a lot of movement. If you’re moving from firm to firm, it likely means that you’ve promised business or claimed to have clients, but those promises didn’t materialize. Law firms are always looking for this. If they’re hiring you without business, the main concern they have is whether your personality will allow you to work well with others and be happy in that role. But again, the biggest red flag is a history of frequent movement.