Izabella is Equipped with a Smile, and She Keeps Customers Coming Back

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published June 26, 2012

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Izabella Pawlak

is a California bound paralegal with an extensive background in customer service. She defines herself as a nice, professional, understanding, and compassionate. These qualities and much more makes Izabella our Legal Staff Profile of the week.

Izabella’s Story

Izabella Pawlak
Izabella was born in Chicago, Illinois, and she grew up in Arlington Heights with her parents and younger brother. Izabella draws a lot of inspiration from her parents. Izabella’s

parents immigrated

to the US from Poland with no education. Izabella’s mother went on to attend college, and her mother became a physical therapist. Izabella’s parents taught her to appreciate the opportunities and to remain grateful in good times and the bad.

Growing up with English as a second language forced Izabella to grow up fast. She struggled with her classes and communicating, but she overcame this obstacle. Izabella became an avid reader, in short, she read herself into becoming fluent in English. In fact, Izabella developed a taste for literature classics including her favorite book, Jane Eyre.

Izabella’s Struggles with Distance

Izabella is not a stranger to loss. For years, Izabella’s grandfather struggled with depression, diabetes, and heart issues. Recently, he passed away, and this loss had a profound effect on Izabella. The loss taught Izabella to reevaluate her life and follow up. Although Izabella will always be a hard worker, she makes sure she carves out time to spend with her family. Currently, Izabella is seeking a position in Southern California so that she will be able to work closer to her family.

While Izabella considers graduating from college to be one of her successes, she admits she grappled with process. Izabella is a

family-centered individual

, who draws strength from being close to her family. Although Izabella is social, she is more of a private low key person, who enjoys a lot of alone time. With the gregarious nature of the college social scene, Izabella felt a bit out of place. However, Izabella made the best out of the situation, learned to thrive outside of her comfort zone, and she grew to really embrace her educational opportunity.

Izabella’s Inspiration

When faced with an obstacle, Izabella remembers a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Izabella gets fired up when she witnesses an injustice. Whether someone is taking advantage of a weaker person, being condescending, or flat out cruel, Izabella makes it a point to stand up for herself as well as others. Even though Izabella has a strong sense of self, she is always nice. Even if Izabella is having a bad day, she is always kind. According to Izabella, when you work in the hotel business, you learn to be nice to customers; service with a smile.

Izabella has enjoyed a few successes and a handful of failures. How could someone go through life with so few failures in the rear view? Well, Izabella remembers that when she learns something from the situation there is no failure. For example, when Izabella moved to Washington she struggled with changing locations. However, she began researching the area and taking weekend trips to the different historical locations. With each misstep, Izabella learns and improves.
United States

While Izabella is repelled by bullies, she is a big fan of people with similar characteristics. She is attracted to people who are dependable, positive, and loyal. In the office, Izabella does not operate as a gossiper or a backstabber. Izabella believes it is better to work hard to gain a reputation for quality work product in your office rather than tear down others in hopes of advancement. This hard working California bound paralegal is ready for anything.

Izabella in the Office

Professionally, Izabella is known for going above and beyond. First, Izabella always takes the time to adequately prepare so that she performs her jobs efficiently. In addition, Izabella helps employees in other departments. Izabella has managerial experience training new employees. Need a research project ASAP? Izabella is ready to dig her heels into the project and sift through the dense and the complex materials. Moreover, Izabella pays attention to the details and provides a personal touch. For example, in the past, Izabella crafted handwritten cards to thank her customer base. This follow up attitude keeps customers coming back.

Izabella’s favorite person in history is

Princess Diana

. Although Princess Diana always looked glamorous, she was more than a beautiful face. Izabella concedes that Princess Diana had flaws, but she did so much humanitarian work. Izabella admires people that work and continue to contribute to society even though they have enough money to stop working. Additionally, Izabella looks forward to being able to contribute to humanitarian causes such as the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the American Diabetes Association, and local Animal Shelters. For more information on these organizations please visit the websites listed below.
  • https://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD
  • https://www.diabetes.org/

After Hours

When Izabella is not working or spending time with her family, she is out playing and walking her dog or watching a game. Izabella will always remain a loyal Cubs and the Bears fan.

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

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