Massachusetts Law Firms Dealt Heavy Hand In Layoffs For '09

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published January 27, 2010

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

01/27/10

Massachusetts Law Firms Dealt Heavy Hand In Layoffs For ‘09
Massachusetts Law Firms saw first hand the wrath of the current recession. The Majority of Boston's largest law firms, and in turn, the state's largest law firms, saw a 9 percent loss of attorney positions throughout the past year.

According to Boston Business Journal, 410 Attorneys were laid off throughout the past 12 months. Boston's top five law firms accounted for more than half of that number, losing 238 lawyers collectively, either through layoffs or attrition. Those law firms were, Goodwin Procter LLP , Wilmer Hale, Bingham McCutchen LLP and Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo PC. The massive layoffs largely affected young lawyers.

Six Law Firms Make Fortune's Top 100 Places To Work List
Every year Fortune magazine puts out a list of top 100 places to work. Six U.S. law firms make that list this year, which is up from five last year.

The firms that made the list were Bingham McCutchen; Alston & Bird; Arnold & Porter; Perkins Cole; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; and new to the list this year, Baker Donelson.

Baker Donelson's reason for making the list this year was probably due to its increasing number of minority lawyers (from 12 to 40) and having no reported layoffs throughout the past 12 months.
United States

Fortune surveys a random sample of company employees to obtain a sense of employee attitude toward management's credibility, job satisfaction and camaraderie. Another third of the decision is made based on company responses to questions regarding pay, benefits, diversity and communication.

Charfoos Files Suit Hoping To Remove His Name From Firm He Founded
Founder and former managing partner for Charfoos & Christensen law firm, Lawrence Charfoos, will sue his old law firm in an effort to have his name stricken from the firm's title.

Charfoos left the firm last year and started a new firm, Charfoos, Giovan, and Birah. His new partners are former Wayne County Circuit County Chief Judge William Giovan and immigration attorney Robert Birach.

As of now, Charfoos & Christensen have retained their former name, and discussion to have it removed has not been successful.

Charfoos filed a suit in Oakland County Circuit Court on Friday in order to wipe his surname from the law firm's title.

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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:

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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:

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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.

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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:

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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:

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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.
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