When Things Get Tricky and Uncomfortable at Your Firm | BCGSearch.com

When Things Get Tricky and Uncomfortable at Your Firm

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I just spoke with a candidate who triggered a memory of a difficult as well as tragic situation that I encountered with a supervising attorney as a junior associate. As a recruiter you hear many stories of weird things happening at law firms.

I just spoke with a candidate who triggered a memory of a difficult as well as tragic situation that I encountered with a supervising attorney as a junior associate. As a recruiter you hear many stories of weird things happening at law firms. Some make the headlines when clients "go postal," or an attorney decides that a jump from the heights is the better solution, than the exit from the firm.


But there are plenty of uncomfortable things happening that are not in the headlines. I hear stories of high level attorneys suddenly disappearing from their firm without a trace, or attorneys permanently moving into their offices and abandoning their homes. There are the difficult substance abuse scenarios and the appropriate/inappropriate office romances. When one is spending most of one's life working at the office, pretty soon real life creeps into the picture, invited or not.

In my case, the situation was a senior attorney who was very ill but not wanting most people, including his clients or peers in the firm to know what was truly happening. He was a beloved member of the firm which made it all the more difficult. Since I was a nurse in a previous life and since I had daily interactions with him and interfaced with clients for him, I had a clear view of the scenario. My nurse side was screaming, "this man needs to be in a hospital with aggressive therapy," while my attorney side was walking a tight rope trying to maintain his dignity and respect his choices in the way he chose to ride out his illness. Lawyers put great stock in image, staying in the saddle, and giving their clients great service.

But, having my work product reviewed by him in the ER and getting cell phone instructions from him in his hospital bed began to feel like we were over the line. Once, during a telephone conference in the office with just the two of us speaking across country to clients, he lost his ability to speak, grasped for water, and motioned me to continue a very high level discussion that was completely over my head as a first year associate. Given his illness, the fact he was functioning at all was a testament to the man's brilliance and determination. But, with time, I began to feel very alone and scared about what I was witnessing. I had shared my concerns with him in a kind but direct way. Not much had changed. Now, I knew that I had to call in some reinforcements.

Fortunately, there were senior attorneys in my office who could invoke the bonds of a lifetime friendship with this fellow, and who had the skill to step in with love and concern to help him accept that his first responsibility was to himself and to attending to his illness. Clients and corporations can adjust. Other attorneys could cover. Even with everyone in the practice group and all of his closest friends in the firm eventually on board, it wasn't easy. I felt like a tattle tale when I finally asked for help and support. I didn't want to undermine his reason for living. I'm still not sure of the lesson here. Life is a matter of balance. You do your best. Sometimes it doesn't feel great. All of us at the funeral some months later were tightly bonded over the loss. We all did our best.

No one can offer standard advice for these situations. I think the critical factor in gauging the health of your firm if such a situation presents is, do you have someone you can go to and feel safe in asking for help?

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.

Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom

Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom

You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays

You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts

You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives


Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.

Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.

To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.


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