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Hiring an Attorney

published October 27, 2009

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

( 12 votes, average: 4.6 out of 5)

What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
If you are fraught with a legal problem and considering seeking legal help, you need to hire an attorney who will help you to come out of your legal problems. Once you have hired an attorney, set up an appointment with him and discuss all your legal issues freely and frankly with him. There are certain factors which must be taken care of while hiring an attorney.
 
  • The client must be satisfied with the amount of time allotted to him. The client must feel that the attorney is considering his problem seriously enough.
  • The client and the attorney must share a relationship of trust with each other. This helps to increase the comfort level between the two. Remember that a client needs to spend long hours with his attorney.
  • The client must make sure that the fees charged by the attorney suits his pocket.
  • The client can, if he feels like, inquire of the previous success of the attorney for determining his competence to handle his case.
  • The client should inquire about the time by when the case might get resolved.
  • The client may also inquire about the possible outcome of the results. He has the right to know whether the attorney is expecting success or failure, and how much chance there is of winning the case.

Caution to be maintained


Before hiring an attorney, the client must be very particular about making thorough enquiries. One can contact the bar council to see what reputation the proposed attorney has, whether there are any sanctions against him, etc. There are different kinds of attorneys whom a client should avoid hiring. There are many attorneys out there in the market who exaggerate their claims. They make fictitious claims about their experiences and qualifications through advertisements placed in websites and elsewhere. There are attorneys who are huge spenders. Their extravagant offices, large number of paralegals and support staff, expensive books, parking garages, and expensive sporty cars tend to impress clients but one should realize that all this extravagance comes from the pockets of clients who are dazzled into taking their services. There are also attorneys who handle too many cases at the same time without being able to concentrate much about any particular. Then there are cheap defenders, as seen against the huge spenders, who try to lure their clients with their meager fees. They are inexperienced attorneys not competent enough to represent you or even determine the amount of time that is required for each case.

Some attorneys are like plea machines. They almost always insist that the client plead guilty to whatever the prosecution claims without even looking into the actual strength of the case. They lack the courage, gumption, and ability to fight the prosecution and seldom take a case to trial. Some attorneys, however, exhibit just the opposite character and are infamous for their over-aggressive attitude. They don't believe in subtle negotiation, tactfulness or persuasiveness and instead always attack everybody they consider opponents. As a result, they end up losing most cases.

While hiring an attorney, ask them clearly if they would be with you personally, throughout the trial cases and court appearances. In case an associate has been appointed to look after your cases, make sure that you inquire about his qualification and experience.

The advertisements of the attorneys, especially who hail from small towns and cities claim that they are competent enough to handle every kind of legal problem, including issues of divorce, business dealings, trusts, estates, or criminal defenses, or any kind of legal issues can be solved by them. This is particularly common among the lawyers practicing criminal law. It is advisable to avoid them as a lawyer who deals with too many issues is unlikely to be an authority on any one.

Some attorneys may decorate their chambers with medals or certificates from elite law schools and colleges. But clients should not be fooled by these pointless emblems on the wall. Self exaggerations land a lawyer nowhere. The lawyer's work experience and their rate of success in the court room is what makes them competent and worthy in the market.

It is advisable to keep these points in mind before hiring an attorney. Your freedom, family, job and reputation depend on a case and a competent attorney that can ensure the best possible outcome for you.

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 defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • 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.

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.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
( 12 votes, average: 4.6 out of 5)
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