Doing Your Homework – Law Firm Websites

This may seem very obvious, but it always bears repeating because of how greatly it increases your chances of a successful job search and/or interview: always do your homework. Your recruiter will be able to alert you to opportunities in your desired location, help market you to law firms, and ideally provide you information about how and why particular firms would be a good match for your background and experience, but at the end of the day, it is your own personal research and preparation that will be the driver of your job search and interview success.

One of the best things you can do in researching a firm, whether in making your initial decision to apply or in prepping for an interview, is to make extensive use of the law firm’s website. Again, obvious right? But depending on how the firm has organized their site, it can sometimes be difficult to find the relevant information, even for me, so here are a few helpful tips that can get you started:


1) Size of the office you are applying to – you may be looking at an AmLaw Top 50 firm, but depending on your market, the firm’s office there might be on the smaller, bigger, newer or older size. Most firms now have features where you can search attorneys by office and get an accurate tally. Many of my candidates have often been surprised that they are able to find a more intimate, personal experience at a “big” law firm if the firm’s office in their city happens to be on the small side versus a mid-sized regional firm with an office of 50-100 attorneys that still feels big. If you are looking for a particular feel or dynamic, this is a great way to sort that out.

• See Top Ten Interview Questions for more information

2) Who you would be working with – oftentimes more helpful than a search by office to determine the size, some firms will let you narrow your search of the firm’s attorneys by practice group as well. Running a search by office and practice group is an excellent way to be able to quickly browse the profiles of the people you would potentially be working with, and can sometimes be the fastest way to determine whether a firm might be a good fit for you.

3) What type of work you would be doing – following up on the last point, once you know who is in the practice group in a given office, you can browse the profiles of those attorneys to figure out the type of work they do and see if it matches up with your background and interests. “Litigation” covers a lot of territory, as does “corporate.” If all the attorneys in a given practice group do insurance coverage, and you are looking for broad commercial litigation, it might not be a good fit. The more helpful profiles will be those of the partners – they will be more likely to have a list of representative matters and clients than junior associates, and they will also be the ones assigning you the work if you are an associate candidate. If you are a partner, browsing the profiles will help you determine how much complementary experience and potential for collaboration and cross-marketing a particular firm might offer you, which can be of utmost importance in maintaining and growing your client base.

4) Is the firm growing in your practice group – even candidates inclined to do their own research oftentimes fail to explore one of the more helpful resources on a law firm’s website: the press releases. More specifically, the press releases specific to your practice group that discuss lateral partner moves and/or practice group expansion. For instance, I recently had an IP candidate who was seeking to join a firm with a growing IP practice, as the one at his current firm was stagnating with a lack of overall support. I knew from looking at press releases that a particular firm’s Silicon Valley office had recently brought over a couple IP partners, and that the firm as a whole had been hiring new IP attorneys regularly over the past year in order to build that practice group globally (in their D.C. and China-based office particularly). This not only confirmed the potential fit for my candidate, but when he mentioned this during his interview with the firm, the partners were impressed that he was aware of this information.

There is obviously more information to be had the deeper you dig, but hopefully this will give you a good start in knowing how to research a firm and what to look for in determining a potential fit with your interests and preparing yourself for a more successful interview.

Learn why attorneys usually fail law firm phone-screening interviews in this article:

• Why Most Attorneys Fail Telephone-Screening Interviews

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.