Need Help Landing an Entry Level Associate Attorney Position?

A. I'm sorry to hear that you have been having so much difficulty finding permanent work as an associate. It is not unreasonable to think that, after three years of hard work in law school, you would have many job opportunities awaiting you after graduation.

But even in an "up" economy, it can still take a while to land your first "real" legal job. Despite the time that has passed since you graduated, let me reassure you that you can still look forward to a long and fruitful career as an attorney.

Based on your current situation, I will assume that you are not someone who graduated from law school with "top academics." As you probably know, most law students with strong academic credentials are recruited by major firms in on-campus fall recruiting. Those "top students" who choose not to pursue this route are likely to stand out from the pack when they apply for other jobs (e.g., with government agencies, smaller firms, corporations or nonprofit organizations).

But since the number of lawyers with strong academic credentials is small in comparison to the bar as a whole, the good news is that aside from positions at large firms, there are still numerous opportunities for everyone else. The only caveat is that sometimes these jobs are harder to find because these employers have no set hiring schedule.

Since you have to work harder to find these jobs, one natural reaction would be to send out as many resumes and cover letters as possible. While some law school graduates in your situation do find jobs this way, I would suggest that there are other job search strategies you can employ that have a much higher probability of success.

In particular, I would recommend that you concentrate your efforts on informational interviewing (a/k/a networking). Networking is a process of building professional relationships so that you move from being a faceless resume to being a hard-working lawyer with a lot of drive and a strong work ethic.

I am not sure what you mean when you say that you have "substantial legal experience," but my three guesses are that you worked as a paralegal before law school, you went to Northeastern and had four co-op jobs, or you worked full-time as a law clerk while you went to law school at night. Whatever the case may be, you probably have a number of contacts in the legal community that can serve as a good starting place for your networking.

I would also be on the lookout for potential employers who have temporary or part-time staffing needs. Taking a position on less than a full-time permanent basis is an excellent way to get your foot in the door somewhere. It is a way to gain more experience and build some credibility with a potential employer without the employer having to assume much risk. I have seen this strategy work well for lawyers and non-lawyers.

You may also want to pick up some pro bono work in the area that is of interest to you to demonstrate that you really have the commitment. (Employers like to hire individuals who are very interested in the work that the employer does.)

If you do decide to take a position that is something less than a permanent full-time job, you should be careful to do something that will be perceived to be a stepping stone to the job you would like.

If you want to represent small businesses in transactional matters and provide general business counsel, then do not take a position helping a small firm with its litigation.

It may also not be such a great idea to take a job as a paralegal if you want to be perceived as a lawyer. The only exception to this is that if you are in financial distress, obviously your need to earn income now may trump your efforts to move your career in the direction that you would like to ultimately go.

In addition to avoiding the classifieds, you should probably stay away from recruiters. Recruiters are only involved in lateral movement of attorneys. In general, clients call upon recruiters to find attorneys who already have the experience that the client needs (i.e., they are already trained and can step in and immediately begin doing the job.)

Since recruiting fees are high, the employers who use recruiters are generally looking for a certain candidate profile. This usually translates into junior to mid-level associates with two-to-five years of experience at a top law firm, or partners with significant portable billings (i.e., several hundred thousand dollars).

For in-house searches, "pedigree" is sometimes less important; but significant work experience that matches the employer's need is very important.

You may want to purchase the book "Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams" (1999, Kimm Alayne Walton, Harcourt/Brace.) This book contains some excellent strategies for someone in your situation. In it you will also find encouraging anecdotes that illustrate the power of a more personalized approach.

Most importantly, do not lose hope or perspective. One year may seem like a long time right now, but once you have been working full-time as a lawyer for several years, it will not seem so significant.

Keep a positive attitude (even if you have to fake it) and someone will give you the break you need to launch your career in the direction that it deserves to go.


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
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• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
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• 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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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• 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.