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Thomas McManus: Dedicated to Helping Other Paralegals Find A Rewarding Career in Law

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published December 29, 2014

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

HThomas McManus: Dedicated to Helping Other Paralegals Find A Rewarding Career in Law
Personal Life

Thomas McManus works as a senior paralegal for DLA Piper , specifically Chapters 7& 11, which had been a growing area when he entered the legal field. In 2000he changed firms, and changed his focus to white-collar criminal defense and complex litigation. Currently he is at a bit of a crossroads because the partner he worked for at DLA Piper left to become Chief Counsel for the California Public Employees Retirement System. Now most of his white-collar cases are finished and he is only working on complex litigation cases.

Thomas earned an Associate's Degree in Business Management from American River College in 1983. He was a certified bankruptcy assistant for a several years, but he let the certification lapse when he changed his focus to white-collar criminal defense and litigation.

When he was being raised, his father was in the US Air force. He was born on an Air Force base in Japan. When his family left Japan, he moved around a lot. Thomas lived in Kansas City, MO and Livermore, CA. His family settled in Sacramento, CA when his father retired in 1968. He has been married for 28 years and has two daughters that are in their early 20's.

Thomas' Career and Future Aspirations

What motivated Thomas to become a paralegal? "I decided to become a paralegal because my brother, who was a lawyer, convinced me to join his firm. I enjoyed working at the firm, and apparently they liked me, as I worked with that group of lawyers for 19 years. These lawyers provided me with a lot room for growth and the rest is history."

Mr. McManus finds juggling everyone else's crises to be the most challenging aspect of his job, because every lawyer's crisis is more important than any other lawyer's crisis. He says that the keys to being a successful paralegal are, "Become invaluable by watching the backs of the lawyers on your team. You should treat the lawyers you work for as your "clients" and you should work hard to get a good understanding of they expect from you. Another key is to watch out for new technologies that can help you do your job better or more efficiently."

The most important lesson that Thomas has learned as a paralegal is, "To stay calm and keep your sense of humor."

Thomas' younger colleagues are amazed at how many people he knows in the Sacramento legal community. He says, "I can't walk down the street without seeing someone I've worked with, against, or on a board with."

Many want to know what the most interesting experience he has had while working as a paralegal. "Unfortunately, the most interesting cases I have worked on were white-collar cases and I can't talk about those. However, I was part of the trial team that got a $30+ million verdict against the Indian tribe that owns the Red Hawk Casino following a three-month jury trial."

Additionally, Thomas has helped represent statewide elected officials, doctors, lawyers, and he filed Merle Haggard's bankruptcy back in the 1990's. A few years ago he uncovered evidence in a government fraud case that helped a client avoid prosecution. The "smoking guns" showed that a rogue employee was the culprit. The employee was prosecuted with the client's cooperation. Thomas will begin trial in March on a $100 million case involving a local country's failure to provide basic emergency health care services to the indigent.

What advice would Thomas give students looking to join the paralegal workforce? "I would advise them to focus their job search on large firms because they expose you to many different areas of law."

Family Matters, Community Service, and Legal Role Models

What is the best compliment that Thomas has received? "I helped a lawyer I didn't know very well with a trial in Denver. Afterward he wrote in my review that he would "go to war with me." That meant a lot."

Who are the people that have inspired him? "My brother, Judge Michael McManus and Steven Felderstein. They gave me my start in the legal field when I was 20 and they served as mentors to me in my young adult years." Matthew Jacobs, another lawyer who Thomas worked for, showed him the importance of paying attention to the details.

Thomas considers himself a mentor because he often volunteers to mentor other paralegals. He has talked to many people that are considering a paralegal career and he is proud to say that he helped many of them get their first jobs.

Thomas is also a long time competitive youth soccer coach and board member, and he often works with younger coaches who need help running practices or dealing with parents.

Many wonder if Thomas is a member of any professional organizations or volunteer activities. He has been involved in paralegal education for a long time. He taught in the paralegal program at Sacramento's MTI College and has been serving on MTI's advisory board since 1996. He was also on the board of the Sacramento Valley Bankruptcy Forum for a number of years. The forum hosted a large annual educational conference every year.

Mr. McManus believes has been extremely fortunate to work with some of Sacramento's finest lawyers throughout his career and hopes to keep doing so. Many of the lawyers he has worked with have gone on to serve as federal and state court judges.

Summary: Thomas McManus is passionate about being a mentor to soccer coaches and paralegals

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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