Look Ahead and Plan Accordingly

For many attorneys, the law is their chosen career, and they came into it with particular goals or aspirations.  In your own case, perhaps you wanted to work in the Department of Justice, prosecuting wrongdoing, or maybe you wanted to become a top corporate partner at a large New York firm.  From my long experience in talking with fellow classmates as a law student, law firm colleagues as a practicing attorney, and now lateral job seekers as a legal recruiter, I can also tell you that a very significant number of our profession did not have any particular goals or aspirations coming into the practice of law.

Many law students end up in law school because it can function as a catch-all graduate school with the promise of gainful employment upon graduation (of course, anyone who has been paying attention to the legal market this past decade knows what a generally dubious line of reasoning this has turned out to be, even among middle-tier law graduates).  They aren’t entirely sure why they are there, or what they want to do with their legal education, they just know it is a “useful” degree , and that going to a good law school and getting good grades is a relatively straightforward set of next steps for the average overachiever who isn’t sure what else to do with themselves.


Even those who go into law school with a purpose may find that their anticipated or desired goals simply aren’t realistic and/or won’t pay the bills (wanting to be an “international human rights lawyer” is one of the most common instances I see among aspiring would-be and current practicing attorneys).  Yes, there are many jobs out there that require a legal education, including hanging your own shingle, but in terms of being personally rewarding and achievable, it is very surprising to me how little thought most attorneys give to both their short- and long-term career plans, and what will bring them both financial success and/or personal happiness.

An incredibly simple, useful, and astonishingly underutilized thought exercise, no matter where you are in your career, is to look for those attorneys who are at least a couple years, if not 5-10 years, ahead of where you are on your current path (or who have taken the path you hope to take moving forward in your career), and take a hard look at the positives and negatives of what they are doing in terms of their work and their life.

For instance, pretend you are a 4^th year litigation associate at a mid-size or large firm.  Your current career path will take you on the road towards partnership, with the obvious caveat that you perform well and start to develop business.  Don’t just look at the partner mentor at your firm that you like and enjoy working with.  Look at all the partners, the type of work they do, the tasks their days are consumed with, the hours they work and the life they lead.  Will you be happy in that situation?

Yes, the pay can be great, there is a great deal of associated prestige that comes from making partner, and you might not have to trudge through tedious document review or write research memos anymore.  But the flip side of the coin is that the hours can be just as long (or sometimes longer), there is a lot of extra work on top of simply litigating (billing, collecting, delegating, partner meetings, client development, being the bottom line for the entire case and not just a couple aspects of it, etc.), and there is a never-ending pressure to attract and retain more clients and to bill more work each and every year to expand the firm’s profits.

If you are realistic about what lies ahead on your current career path, and it is something you feel you will enjoy and be able to accomplish, then by all means, continue on!  Based on my experience, you are one of the lucky ones.  But if you look down the road and things do not look rosy, it may be time to consider another firm, or another career path.  It can be easy to put in the time for a couple years just to collect those paychecks, but in the legal market, there always comes a time where you must go up or out, or when you simply cannot take it anymore, and you will thank yourself if you have been thinking about this issue and have a couple exit strategies in mind.

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.