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Securing Your Spot: Insider Insights for Landing a Law Firm Position

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published October 21, 2024

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Securing Your Spot: Insider Insights for Landing a Law Firm Position


Securing a position in a law firm requires more than just exceptional legal qualifications or years of experience. Law firms, fundamentally, are business entities, and their hiring decisions are influenced by economic factors, market demands, and internal profitability goals. Attorneys must not only demonstrate strong legal capabilities but also understand the intricate business models of law firms to maximize their chances of getting hired.

This comprehensive guide breaks down key strategies attorneys can use to navigate the law firm hiring process effectively, with insights on how economic conditions and business priorities shape law firm recruitment practices.


Understanding Law Firms as Business Units: The Profitability Factor

 

While legal expertise is crucial, law firms primarily operate as profit-driven businesses. Each hire is carefully assessed based on whether they will generate or support revenue, contributing to the firm's bottom line. This makes the hiring process not only about credentials but also about how profitable an attorney will be for the firm.

For instance, a global firm like Jones Day may prioritize attorneys who can manage high-end, complex legal work for sophisticated clients or bring in significant business. In contrast, a smaller firm in a mid-sized city like Richmond may focus on hiring generalists who can handle a broad spectrum of legal cases efficiently, balancing client demand and cost-effectiveness.

Key Tips:

 
  • Understand Your Value: Whether you are a senior attorney with a niche specialty or a junior associate, be prepared to demonstrate how you will contribute to the firm’s profitability.
  • Adapt to Market Needs: In larger markets, firms may prefer specialists who can serve specific corporate clients. In smaller markets, firms often need generalists who can manage a wide variety of cases.
  • Research the Firm: Know the firm's clientele, financial structure, and market position to tailor your application in a way that emphasizes your potential to contribute to their specific business needs.


Applying to Law Firms Without Open Positions: A Proactive Strategy

 

One often overlooked job-search strategy is applying to law firms that do not have publicly listed job openings. Law firms may not always advertise their hiring needs, especially in smaller markets. Sometimes, they wait for the right candidate to present themselves, or they may not yet realize they need someone with a specific skill set.

For example, an attorney specializing in consumer finance litigation may find fewer advertised opportunities in smaller markets. However, submitting an unsolicited application could prompt a law firm to recognize a future need and create a position based on the applicant's experience and expertise.


Best Practices for Unsolicited Applications:

 
  • Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter to the specific firm's practice areas and market. Highlight your unique skills and how they align with the firm's needs.
  • Follow-up: After submitting an unsolicited application, follow up with a phone call or email to make sure your application was received and to express further interest in joining the firm.
  • Leverage Networking: Attend industry events, engage with legal recruiters, or reach out to partners in the firm. Building connections can help move your unsolicited application to the top of the pile.


Supply and Demand: Navigating the Legal Job Market

 

The legal job market is heavily influenced by the laws of supply and demand. In larger legal markets, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Washington, D.C., the supply of attorneys far exceeds the demand. This creates fierce competition, where even highly qualified candidates must differentiate themselves by offering niche expertise or a standout application.

In smaller markets, the demand for specialized attorneys is often higher due to a smaller pool of candidates. This can work to your advantage if you are moving from a larger market to a smaller one, where firms may not have access to attorneys with your experience level or expertise.


Key Tips for Navigating Supply and Demand:

 
  • Consider Relocating: If you’re facing stiff competition in a saturated market, explore opportunities in smaller markets where your skills may be in higher demand.
  • Be Specialized or Flexible: In larger markets, specialization is crucial to stand out. In smaller markets, firms may value generalists who can cover multiple practice areas.
  • Analyze Market Trends: Keep an eye on emerging practice areas or sectors that are in demand, such as data privacy, fintech, or intellectual property, and position yourself as a specialist in those fields.
See Related Articles:


Challenges for Senior Attorneys: Overcoming the 1-6 Year Experience Gap

 

Law firms typically seek attorneys with 1-6 years of experience because they are seasoned enough to handle substantial client work yet affordable and flexible enough to be shaped within the firm’s culture. For senior attorneys, the hiring landscape can be more challenging, as firms often expect them to bring in a significant book of business or offer highly specialized expertise.

However, senior attorneys can overcome these challenges by strategically positioning themselves in markets where their experience is in higher demand or by focusing on niche practice areas where their expertise is invaluable.


Best Practices for Senior Attorneys:

 
  • Focus on Niche Expertise: Specializing in a unique area of law that is in demand can help senior attorneys stand out, especially in smaller markets or specialized firms.
  • Bring Business: If you have a book of business, highlight this in your application. Firms are more likely to invest in senior attorneys who can immediately generate revenue.
  • Leverage Connections: Use your network to connect with firms that may need your specific skills, even if they aren't currently hiring.

 

See Related Articles:


Maximizing Employment Status: The Advantage of Being Employed

 

Law firms generally view employed attorneys as more marketable, as current employment signals competence and reliability. On the other hand, unemployed attorneys may face bias, particularly in competitive markets. However, this bias is less pronounced in smaller markets, where personal circumstances, such as relocation, are often taken into consideration.


United States
Tips for Employed Attorneys:

 
  • Leverage Your Current Position: Highlight your current role as a sign of success and stability when applying for new positions.
  • Handle Gaps Gracefully: If you are unemployed, be prepared to explain your situation honestly and emphasize the skills you gained during that time.


Avoiding Non-Partner Track Roles: Balancing Work-Life and Career Growth

 

Non-partner track roles, such as staff attorney positions, may offer a better work-life balance, but they come with risks. These positions are often considered less secure, and during economic downturns, firms may prioritize retaining attorneys on the partner track. Partner-track attorneys, on the other hand, are viewed as long-term investments for the firm.


Key Advice:

 
  • Weigh Stability vs. Flexibility: While non-partner track roles may offer less pressure, consider the long-term risks to job security.
  • Ask About Career Development: If you are considering a non-partner-track role, inquire about opportunities for growth, mentoring, and job stability during the interview process.


Staying Busy: The Key to Career Longevity

 

Whether you're a partner, associate, or staff attorney, staying consistently busy is critical to your career longevity. Attorneys who are actively billing hours and generating revenue are more likely to retain their positions and progress within the firm. Before accepting a position, ensure that the firm has enough work to keep you engaged and productive.


Best Practices:

 
  • Evaluate Workload: Ask about the firm’s client base and the type of work available to ensure that you’ll have ample opportunities to stay busy.
  • Proactively Seek Work: If you're underutilized, take the initiative to seek out new cases or offer help on existing matters to demonstrate your value to the firm.


Conclusion: Strategic Approaches to Securing a Law Firm Position


Securing a law firm position requires a strategic approach that goes beyond legal skills. By understanding how law firms operate as businesses, recognizing the impact of supply and demand, and being proactive in your job search, you can position yourself as a valuable asset in today’s competitive legal market. Whether you are a junior associate or a senior attorney, applying these insights will improve your chances of landing the right law firm position and advancing your legal career.

Final Thoughts:

  • Leverage Unsolicited Applications: Proactively reach out to firms even if they aren’t advertising positions.
  • Focus on Profitability: Demonstrate how you can contribute to the firm’s bottom line through billable hours, business development, or niche expertise.
  • Adapt to Market Conditions: Consider relocating or specializing in areas with less competition to increase your chances of getting hired.

By adopting these strategies, attorneys can navigate the complexities of law firm hiring and secure a role that aligns with their career aspirations and professional strengths.


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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