Medium-sized law firms of twenty to fifty-nine lawyers are also located in large metropolitan areas of the country. This type of practice will be very much like the larger firm's except that domestic and personal injury cases may be part of the firm's practice.
Fewer paralegals will be employed in mid-sized than in large firms. They will usually have their own offices and may share a secretary with only one other paralegal or an attorney. These paralegals will usually be given more responsible and demanding assignments than in the larger firms. This will allow them to use on the job much of what they were taught in paralegal school.
The paralegals will have more client contact, use more independent judgment, and be given more recognition in their work. The medium-sized firms usually allow their paralegals to perform legal research, write reports, and draft memoranda of law.
Profile—Working in a Medium-sized Law Firm
Margaret T. is a corporate paralegal working in a mid-sized Wall Street law firm. At age 40 she had grown dissatisfied with working as a volunteer in her town. With a bachelor’s degree in education she decided to enroll in an intensive three-month legal assistant training program to become a litigation paralegal.
After successfully completing the program in December 1980 she looked for a job. She interviewed at four different law firms before she decided to accept the job offer at the firm where she is now employed. While seeking employment she worked in various temporary paralegal jobs through an employment agency to gain exposure to a variety of types of law firms. By the time she chose her paralegal position she was familiar with several kinds of paralegal jobs.
She chose her present job because she would receive training in the field of corporate law, which would allow her to eventually work for a corporation if she chose to do so. The law firm’s philosophy was to train everyone, regardless of their previous background. Margaret was fortunate, however, since she had worked with municipal law through her volunteer work, so she started off with some practical legal experience. She was hired at $15,000 per year to replace a corporate paralegal who was leaving the firm to begin work at a brokerage house.
Her writing abilities were used right away. For the month that Margaret T. was being trained she was given very short Blue-Sky research assignments to complete. Her legal research classes were of great assistance to her since she had been given a memorandum of law to complete as part of the course. She was also taught by one of the senior associates how to use the blue sky reporters.
Two weeks after the other corporate paralegals had left, Margaret was working on her own. She began by working with senior associates but now usually works only for the firm's partner's. Eight months after she began working at the firm she was given a raise of $1,250 and she is now negotiating for another salary review. Her benefits include four weeks paid vacation, life insurance, and full Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage.
When she works overtime, which is frequent in this high-pressured firm, she earns $13.25 per hour. Once a month the corporate department has a luncheon for the attorneys and paralegals to discuss current matters the department is working on. Margaret's client contact is restricted to talking to clients on the telephone and meeting with them when they must sign papers.
After working a year in this firm Margaret T. has found that her work as a paralegal has been recognized and appreciated. She now is the head corporate paralegal with two paralegal assistants. Sometimes the lack of clear-cut administrative policies causes her concern since paralegals are sometimes treated differently from the attorneys. However, she has interesting and challenging work as a paralegal. Her position allows her to hire other paralegals and delegate work to them. She has learned a lot from this job and would eventually like to use these skills she has acquired as a law firm administrator or as a paralegal working in a major corporation.
Read More: Paralegal Work Environment and Growth Prospects in Large Law Firms
Read More: Paralegal Work and Growth Prospects with Small Law Firms and Solo Practitioners
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published January 21, 2013
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
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.
- 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.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
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
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