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published June 30, 2010

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

When most people think about legal work, the first profession that comes to mind is the lawyer. This position deals with the proceedings that happen in court. From criminal to civil cases the attorney will help present the case of either the Plaintiff or the Defendant. If you have a clean background, and are prepared for intense schooling this is the perfect position for you. At a minimum you are looking at four years for your basic college degree with an additional 3 years in law school. Law school is difficult to get in as competition is fierce and those with good grades and extracurricular activities stand a better chance of obtaining acceptance.

But to get licensed in a state you need to go to also pass a State Bar. This process contains an intense background check and testing of many concepts you learn in law school. Some states have additional requirements to become a lawyer, and you should check out the requirements for the state you are interested in practicing in.


When you have met the requirements for practicing in your state you can proceed to find open opportunities online or by visiting law firms in your local area to see what options they have available. Many lawyers choose to enter their own practice and remain self employed. The Department of Labor reports approx 26 percent of all practicing lawyers are self employed.

If these attorneys could handle it all by themselves, they likely would. But there is so much work involved in a case that they need help. The individuals that help prepare legal documents and do research for court cases are called paralegals. This is another job type for legal work.

Many paralegals have very little background in law. With many getting on the job experience the demand for a law school background isn't a necessary requirement to get one of these positions. Like a lawyer you will need a clean background. In addition you will need excellent research skills and profound writing skills, especially since you are the communication portal for the attorney more often than not.

Of course those interested in getting a background in being a paralegal should consider a Criminal Justice degree in college this will help in other areas of legal employment as well. This will assist in your understanding of the legal system and help better prepare you for things that happen while you are on the job. There is no legal requirement for any form of certification and almost all States have no requirement on this.

United States
Many positions for the paralegal can be found online at the various job boards, as well as many Government locations. Outside of these options you can also take some time and look into getting a position at various law firms in your area by stopping by the different offices and seeing who has an opening.

From inside the courthouse the court clerk handles the filing of legal documents. When a party submits anything to the court it is first filed by these individuals and if needed, they are certified and sent to other parties as well. Some court clerks also handle the distributing of minute entries and other items of legal nature.

Many courts require that there is a background in legal employment before they will consider a candidate for these positions along with basic administrative tasks. Some courts will allow individuals to apply as long as they have a completed some required college work. It depends on the local jurisdiction. A clear background is also required for a court clerk.

Employment for court clerk can be found online at the website for the different courts in your area. While some do post to job boards, most will post on their own websites first before expanding beyond a directed interest level in the position.

For those interested in finding legal jobs should browse www.LawCrossing.com with your free trial you can review thousands of listings that have been grouped together specifically in law employment. Take the first steps in making your future a reality and see if that dream job of yours is listed today.

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.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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