Email: Career Opportunities and Pitfalls

But it is the widespread adoption of e-mail as a communication tool where change has been the most significant. E-mail has fundamentally changed the way we do business. E-mail has given us an unprecedented way to quickly share our thoughts in writing, regardless of our physical proximity to the intended recipient (or our presence in an office). E-mail has provided us with a means to easily share our written thoughts with multiple parties.


What follows is an attempt to highlight how the effective use of e-mail can help you in your legal career. More importantly, we wanted to demonstrate some of the career pitfalls associated with poor uses of e-mail.

Rules of e-mail etiquette
As with any form of communication, the rules governing e-mail etiquette have evolved over time and are continuing to develop as we write. Some conventions are already well established.

For example, it is now common practice to forgo the formalities of a business letter when composing an e-mail message. Similarly, when we send e-mail, it is customary to expect a quick response (certainly quicker than if we sent a letter by regular mail).

But many other conventions are continuing to develop and the rules about when and how it is best to use e-mail (versus other forms of communication) are not always clear.

A useful marketing tool
Relationship-building is an important concept in marketing professional services. Because it is difficult to predict when someone will need an attorney (or hear of someone who has a legal problem), it is important to stay in contact with your professional network.

Similarly, keeping your visibility high inside your firm is important for your career advancement. E-mail provides a fast and easy way to stay in contact with a large number of individuals, both internally and externally.

Clipping articles when you see something that might interest one of your clients or referral sources has always been a good way to cultivate your business relationships. Taking the time to do this demonstrates that you are thinking of your contacts and that you know something about them. It also reminds potential referral sources that you are "out there."

Doing this through e-mail (either by forwarding a link or by attaching something electronically) has two benefits. First, because e-mail is easy to forward, you can reach your contacts more frequently. Second, and perhaps more importantly, if you send an item to someone on your contact list, they can in turn easily forward it to individuals in their organization or professional network.

Judicious use of the "cc" or "bcc" functions in e-mail is also an effective way to keep partners apprised of your accomplishments. Don't inundate partners with unnecessary e-mail messages; but don't hesitate to let partners know that you have published an article, joined a bar association committee, achieved a good result for a client, etc.

E-mail can also be a good way to give a quick "progress report" on a project and ask for further clarification.

Sending out large amounts of impersonal e-mail
Because e-mail is so easy to send to a large number of recipients, the temptation is to forward everything to everyone on your list. This will certainly keep your visibility high. But there is a more effective approach.

While it may take longer to compose individual e-mail messages when you forward articles and other items of interest, taking the time to personalize your communications in some way is more effective.

If you prefer to send out bulk e-mail messages because you have a large list of contacts, use a software program that can personalize your salutations. Two viable options include Broadc@st by Mailworkz and Constant Contact. Both of these programs enable you to semi-customize the e-mail communications that you send without having to compose dozens of individual messages.

Not for everyone
Each one of us prefers to communicate in our own way. Some prefer to interact by telephone while others enjoy meeting in person. Still others like the efficiency of e-mail. Regardless of what your own personal preferences are, it is important to remember that effective communication is not about you; rather, effective communication is about the recipient.

For example, if you need to explain a judge's ruling to a client, it may be your preference to send an e-mail message. Perhaps you like to give case updates in writing because you ensure that you have given all of the important information to the client (and you have a record of having done so).

But consider how your client might prefer to receive the information. Some clients prefer the telephone. Others would rather have the information in writing so they do not have to take notes when they speak with you and so they have more time to reflect. Still others might prefer both.

If your default method of communication is the method that you prefer, you may find that some clients are happy. But take the time to find out what your client likes and you may have a much happier client.

Dealing with the partner who communicates primarily by e-mail
E-mail has given busy partners a very efficient way to stay in contact with a number of associates. As the pressure to bill hours has grown in the practice of law, some partners have found that they no longer have the time to sit down with associates and explain every assignment they hand out.

Unfortunately, this change in intra-office communication has meant that many associates have less opportunity to get to know the partners at their firms. Aside from the obvious downsides of e-mail replacing face-to-face communications (i.e. that the office has become a more impersonal workplace), there are perils lurking for the associate who simply relies on a partner's e-mail correspondence.

The simple career lesson is this: If you do not completely understand an assignment that has come to you by e-mail and an exchange of e-mail messages does not satisfactorily clear up the confusion, then it behooves you to have a real conversation. It is better to interrupt a busy partner than to risk doing the assignment improperly.

Opportunities for miscommunication
Perhaps the biggest potential problem with e-mail is the informal nature of the medium. Unlike a business letter that is sent by regular mail, e-mail messages are often sent with limited deliberation and review.

At the same time, because e-mail creates an excellent archive of written communications, e-mail messages that are potentially inflammatory or otherwise problematic can come back to haunt you even years later.

E-mail is an excellent mode of communicating objective information (meeting times, answers to simple questions, FYIs to keep important people in the loop). But it may not always be the best way to communicate more subjective information.

Think twice before putting criticism or apologies in an e-mail message. If you don't like the way a paralegal handled a client interaction, find a time to speak with him in person. A straightforward message that reads: "I don't like the way you spoke to Mr. Johnson. We need to talk." will only put the paralegal on the defensive and give him time to stew.

If you receive e-mail messages that you consider inflammatory (someone has insulted you in some way, unjustly accused you of something, etc.), think carefully before responding and consider whether you want to respond at all. Perhaps it is better to find time to speak with the person directly.

Because e-mail is a written medium, it is often not an effective way to communicate emotions or deliver messages that have a lot of nuance.

In many cases, you may benefit from waiting a day (if appropriate) and rereading the message before deciding how to respond. What came across as brusk and insensitive to you initially may appear less so on a second reading.

Also, sleeping on it will enable you to respond in a more appropriate and less emotional way after you have taken the time to digest the actual content. Because e-mail messages are often sent without the thought that we might give to more formal writing, we are more prone to sending e-mail without properly considering the feelings of the recipient.

Using e-mail to make difficult requests
E-mail can be a very effective way to ask for something without making the other person feel pressured about giving an answer right away. This can be useful if you want to ask a favor of a colleague without putting him or her on the spot.

But e-mail may be a poor substitute for a live conversation when you want to tell someone that you are annoyed with their behavior (or with something they said in an e-mail message to you).

E-mail is a powerful communication tool that has changed the way we interact with our colleagues and clients. Blackberry devices and other handheld PDAs have made e-mail the preferred mode of communication for many professionals because it is so efficient. While e-mail has dramatically increased the speed with which documents and information are exchanged, it is important to remember that e-mail has also created a whole new medium for miscommunication.

Use e-mail wisely and with deliberate intent and it will be a boon to your career. Misuse e-mail and you put your career in grave danger.


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
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• 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.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

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.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

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.