Lucy Johnston-Walsh - Child Advocate, Attorney and Clinical Professor

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published March 23, 2010

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

<<Clinical Professor Lucy Johnston-Walsh has been a strong supporter of children's rights for years. Now, she's taken those energies and plays a pivotal role in the Children's Advocacy Clinic, which she helped found. Before embarking on this latest journey, Johnston-Walsh was the 2007 Pennsylvania Child Advocate of the Year. Established to recognize accomplishments of lawyers and judges who work to protect children on every level, this prestigious award is indicative of truly selfless efforts on the part of its recipients. Her ''rare combination of intellect, interpersonal skills and passion for public service'' has allowed her to work diligently for the rights of abused and neglected children. This comes as no surprise to those who know her well. Even before entering law school, her contributions were impressive and through her work, policies and procedures were changed in nearly every branch of Pennsylvania's state government. She is also a current member of the National Association of Counsel for Children and along with family law, focuses much of her attention to disability law.

The former state lobbyist now expertly divides her time between Penn State Dickinson Law School and the Children's Advocacy Clinic, also located at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. She directs the clinic's operations as well as supports its mission to ''serve children and advocate for legislative issues related to children in the welfare system''. Under her guidance, law students and those students pursuing their educations in social services represent abused children, as well as though caught in the middle of contested adoption and custody cases. The clients run the gamut: from infants to teens to those up to age twenty one. ''We handle cases where the child is in the dependency system and placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect,'' says Johnston-Walsh during an interview for Penn State Outreach Magazine. She goes on to explain the clinic also works with older teens who are transitioning out of foster care into adult independence. This is crucial since many young people across the country face transition on their 18^th or 21^st birthdays with absolutely no support mechanisms in place.

It's a true win-win. The graduate students receive hands-on training in real world scenarios while the children are provided advocates who work solely for their benefit. It also allows students of medicine, psychology, sociology and education to come together in an effort of addressing real social problems and potential solutions for the youngest and most vulnerable in our society. It allows students across many disciplines to learn important procedures regarding confidentiality issues, counseling efforts for children, guidelines for proper gathering of evidence, insight into family and juvenile law, the responsibilities each has as professionals as well as addressing indigent clients. All these scenarios will prove beneficial as students reach the end of their educational careers and begin using the real world experience gained.

For these reasons, plus many more, Lucy Johnston-Walsh is our most recent Law Star addition. Her tireless efforts do not go unnoticed and her contributions to countless children and families have made significant and lifelong contributions to the well-being of both.

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.

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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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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.

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With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

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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.

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Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
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His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
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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:

Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
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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.

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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.

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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

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