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A Law Student Who Inspires Others, but May Never Be Allowed to Practice Law

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published October 01, 2012

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Shon Hopwood inspires others but may never be allowed to practice law
Shon Hopwood may never be allowed to practice law, but he would always inspire law students and others across the nation. His story, rather his memoir, co-authored by Dennis Burke, “Law Man” was published this year by Crown Publishing.

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And yes, if you want to know what is wrong or right with him, this 37 year old father of two has served 10 years for robbing five banks; while in prison his petitions acting as a jailhouse lawyer were good enough to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, not once, but twice, and his education at the University of Washington Law School is paid for, by the Gates Scholarship Program.

But most certainly, his wrong choices made in his 20s, and conviction of a felon would be used by bar associations to prevent entry to competition that, sitting in prison and without a law school degree, has been able to convince a 9-0 panel of the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of his arguments. So, Hopwood is a brilliant legal mind, who's studying law with full knowledge that bar associations would fight tooth and nail to keep him out of law practice. But it scarcely concerns him.

As reported in a recent article in the Seattle Times by Katherine Long, Hopwood says, “he could still use his training in other legal work. And he believes he's been given an unusual series of lucky breaks he can use to shed light on inequities in the criminal-justice system.”

Seth Waxman, a former U.S. Solicitor General with whom Hopwood worked on preparing the case of Fellers v. United States says that the petition for writ of certiorari in the case was probably one of the best he had ever seen.

United States
Law Man: My Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Court Cases, and Finding Redemption is the memoir of Hopwood, but its more than a memoir, because it has set him off on another journey altogether. A journey of discovering the multitude of faces worn by humans. And he seems to be maturing by the day. Take this observation on his blog “When you publish a book with a story like mine, you expect opposition. You expect some haters. Because I've learned that you can never please everyone, even when you are trying to do the right thing, I have a two track system to dealing with such negativity. Step one: ignore it. Step two: if there is a really offending comment, politely respond, and then ignore it.”

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Talking about a hater who started a blog almost dedicated to denouncing only Hopwood, a blogger whose identity Shon knows but refers to only as Jim, what Shon says may well be meant for all including the bar associations where his past is going to catch up for sure:
“As for worldly forgiveness, I never expected that, which is why I've gone out of my way to try to earn that forgiveness. Jim has no idea how many volunteer hours I put in: everything from serving at my church, to talking to children in a juvenile prison, to assisting people with their legal problems. I don't think a week has gone by in the past three years where I have not performed some sort of pro bono volunteer work. I'm also dedicating my life to public service to make amends for what I did, even though, I could find a much more lucrative job after law school and, even though, under the law, I've already paid the price—let's not forget that I did serve over a decade in a hellhole called federal prison and I'm paying all the money back that I stole.

In other words, Jim doesn't know what he's talking about. But that's what happens when you judge someone you don't know and never met.”
If Shon can do law school with no hope of ever joining the bar, but only with the willingness to do good and redeem himself, may be not everything at law schools is as gloomy as much of the media would have us believe.

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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.
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