Why Attorneys Need to Get Out of the Office and Get Involved in the Legal Community

 

Harrison Barnes

I have been studying successful lawyers for more years than I care to count. The most successful attorneys are also generally the most visible. This is not always the case, but it usually is. Moreover, when an attorney is attempting a lateral move, being involved in the legal community is something that can help him/her a great deal. In numerous placements I have made-and in the majority of the largest and most significant ones-it was the attorney's involvement in the legal community that was what got him/her the job.


This article discusses the importance of getting out in the legal community to your legal career and, ultimately, to getting a job. While there are several benefits to being visible, the most important of these are: (1) If you are visible, you will be in people's spotlights; (2) if you are visible, you will learn more; and (3) if you are visible, you will have a better chance of getting a job and being employable.


1. If You Are Visible, You Will Be in People's Spotlights
It would be difficult to think of any politician, even the proverbial class president, who was able to rise to the top without networking with a lot of people and being involved in the community. The class presidents you have known probably attended all the football games and cheered, even if they hated football. The traditional politician goes out and gives speeches. The traditional politician may even write books and articles. Most of these articles and books are all the same, something about the need for change. None of this is an accident. In order to capture the public's attention, politicians, like successful lawyers, must get into the spotlight.

If you were unjustly accused of a crime and needed a criminal attorney-a really good criminal attorney-my sense is that one of a few names would come to mind. I am assuming Barry Scheck, F. Lee Bailey, Johnnie Cochran, and others might be among these names. Regardless of whether or not these are good attorneys, their unique knack for self-promotion and the ability to harness the power of the press have put these names at the tip of your tongue and in your personal spotlight.

The fact is that there are names like these in every major legal market in the United States. This is true whether or not you are talking about mezzanine financing, workers' compensation, litigation, personal injury, or corporate bond issues. In all cases, the attorneys who get ahead-in a major way-manage to put themselves in the legal spotlight. If they did not have this talent, they would not be as successful as they are.

I am assuming a lot of this conversation sounds quite familiar. Yes, this is the same rationale for branding that corporations follow all day long. Branding makes sense. If you have ever wondered why a brand might pay $50,000 to have a two-page ad inside a magazine with a couple of attractive models and nothing more, the answer, of course, is branding. Here, as with all branding exercises, the company will be attempting to get your attention so you associate its brand with something.

The main reason to be visible in the legal community is so that you can be in the spotlight of others both inside and outside the legal community. If you are visible, people will see you. If they see you, they will associate you with whatever you are doing to be visible. If you are making a speech about an area of law, they will associate you with this area of law. Even if you are not regularly speaking, but just attending events about a given topic regularly, they will associate you with this area of law, as well. In order to succeed at the practice of law, people need to know who you are.

Rising above the hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of similar attorneys in your legal market is no easy task. Most of the activities that attorneys are involved in are quite solitary and involve their firms, their firms' clients, and perhaps judges if you are a litigator (who goes to court). All of these people may know who you are, but there are literally thousands of other people who need to know who you are.

When you read your local legal newspaper, there are undoubtedly numerous articles referencing attorneys in your community. Judges, lawyers, politicians, and others also need to catch the attention of outside people in order to get where they are. Moreover, major rainmakers must also do the same. By being visible in the legal community, you open yourself up to a whole host of potentialities that would not exist without your being visible. In order to be visible, you must take action.

There are several ways attorneys take action to become visible in the legal community. If you write an article about a legal topic and it is seen by numerous people, this will likely generate referrals for you because people will think you are an expert on the given topic. The same goes for speeches and attending events of legal significance. The more visible you are, the more likely it is that reporters in the legal community will know who you are as well. You need to publicize yourself. If you are unknown in the legal community, you will certainly not be able to benefit from everything the world can offer you when you are known.

If you are practicing in a law firm, the chances are that you regularly hear that such-and-such attorney from your law firm has gone and made a speech about some patently obvious topic from time to time. Some examples immediately come to mind that I have heard in the past:
 

• "Real Estate: Will the Market Improve?"
• "Discovery In Litigation: Tactics for Improvement"
• "Expert Witnesses: Techniques for Preparing Them for Maximum Effectiveness"
• "Employment Law: How to Protect Against FMLA Violations"

All of these are noble topics. Most of these topics, however, are pretty obvious to most experienced practitioners. Nevertheless, law firms will trumpet out their clients, prospective clients, and others to these presentations. This is not to say that these are not noble topics and the attorneys who attend them will not learn anything-they will-but the substantive content of most of these events is pretty weak. Given this fact, there must be another purpose to these sorts of events. There is.

Following (or prior to) one of these events, a well-managed law firm will generally issue a press release and email the attorneys in the firm about the speech or event. The point of all this activity is to generate a buzz that the law firm and the attorney(s) making the given presentation are experts in one area of the law or another. This will be reinforced in the attorneys inside the presenter's firm, as well as the attorneys who ultimately hear the presentation.

The value of this is that an individual or the firm is being put in the spotlight. A strong percentage of rainmakers in law firms manage to consistently get into the spotlight using various methods. They often do so by making speeches or writing articles about the banal and obvious. Regardless of how this is done, it is crucial for an attorney to be in the spotlight in order to advance.

2. If You Are Visible, You Will Learn More
If you are visible, you will be in a position to learn. The image at the beginning of this article-of the solitary attorney working alone inside an office-is all too common. By getting out in the legal community, you will be exposed to others, knowledge about what others are doing, the status of different ideas, who is who, and more. By learning all of this information, you will put yourself in a position to even further distinguish yourself because you can recalibrate and adjust to this information to become more effective.

Insulated inside a law firm, you are learning from the attorneys you are working with and the clients you are working with. Certainly, you may read legal periodicals, but there is really no substitute for direct knowledge from others. All of this is more concrete and far more likely to be advantageous to you. In addition, you are likely to get more nuances of various information, as well as off-the-record information about the legal community. The advantages of learning more through networking cannot be understated.

While learning through networking is somewhat of a personal calculus vis-à-vis what it is to you, I believe that one of the more important aspects of this is that it gives you a better appreciation of what you are doing. For example, if you know the network of attorneys in your practice area in your city, you have a better sense of what you need to do to compete to get clients. If you know more about your practice area, you can improve your work. If you bring all of this together, you can have a better appreciation for the practice of law and become a more complete attorney.

The fact is that you need to get involved with the legal community and other attorneys in order to make this happen. You will learn more if you are involved in the legal community, and this will help your career.

3. If You Are Visible, You Will Have a Better Chance of Getting a Job
I want to be clear about one thing: It is not easy to get a job as an attorney. If you have been practicing for more than 5 or 6 years, it is even more difficult to get a job. If you have been practicing more than 10 years and do not have any major business, it can be extremely difficult to get a job. While my recruiting efforts are focused on law firms, my rationale applies equally to other types of legal employers you may be interested in. Moreover, the more prestigious the employer, the more difficulties you will have getting a job with it. Some law firms are so exclusive that they have virtually never hired laterally throughout their entire histories.

One of the hallmarks of a law firm is that it is somewhat like a 15th-century guild. Law firms, in particular, are extremely suspicious of outsiders and attorneys that are not part of their firms. When I am placing attorneys laterally, for example, it is quite rare for an attorney to move from a less prestigious to a more prestigious firm. This does happen-and given the vagaries of practice area demands, the state of the market, and other factors-it might even happen a lot during certain times. Nevertheless, as a general rule, it does not happen that often.

When a group of lawyers is deciding whether or not to hire you, or even bring you in for interviews, it is going to be suspicious as a general rule. Guilds being what they are, attorneys are going to be suspicious of anyone who is switching jobs. They will be even more suspicious if they do not know you, or know of you. If they know you and do not like you, then you are toast, of course. If they know you (or of you) and have a generally good impression of you, they are going to be much more likely to want to speak with you. Some sort of prior group acceptance really goes a long way. Here are some short examples of conversations I have had with hiring partners over the years:
 

• "The people who interviewed him were all unsure, but Nancy from accounting noticed him in the hall and said that she remembered him from a public speaking course and thinks he is a good guy." (third-year lawyer)
• "We really could get by without someone like him at his level, but one of our clients has spent some time with him at a couple of law school alumni events, and everyone really liked him." (fourth-year partner with no business)
• "Although he is a litigation candidate, Jim from our tax department said that people in the local bar association like him a great deal." (fourth-year lawyer)

I could go on and on with similar stories. Nevertheless, the point is that when you connect with people outside of your own sphere of influence, this will help you. The familiar is always more comfortable than the unfamiliar. If you become familiar to others in the legal community, you will have a better chance of getting a job if you ever need one.

While I have not even touched upon this, and you would think I would, another real benefit of all this involvement in the legal community is that it can lead to a job. When you walk around most law firms, I would estimate that as many at 20% of the attorneys at many law firms are there because they knew someone. They knew someone from some sort of involvement in the legal community.

How do you think hiring decisions are made in most law firms and other legal organizations? One of the first things that happens is the law firm has to identify a need. If the law firm identifies a need, the chances are very good that it made this determination because a partner somewhere in the firm-or a client-was throwing off work that could not be adequately serviced with the existing personnel inside the law firm. Once this need is met, before an ad goes up in the paper, a job board, or on the firm website, the partner will generally ask themselves, "Do I know anyone?" This will occur even prior to a recruiter's (such as myself) getting involved in the search.

What happens a large percentage of the time (especially at smaller and mid-sized firms) is that the partner does know someone. The person he/she knows may not necessarily be the most qualified for the position and may not even represent the massive universe of possible candidates for the position. What the partner will know is that (1) he/she knows the person and (2) based on his/her previous contact with the person, he/she feels comfortable with the person. This is an instant seal of approval. A call may go out; an informal chat may occur. Whatever happens, a potential hire may occur because someone was in the spotlight and on the partner's radar. That is, someone was on the partner's radar who does not even work at the firm.

Conclusions

As a recruiter, I can tell you that the most sought after attorneys are the most visible. Becoming visible can get you clients. Becoming visible can help you learn more and become a better attorney. Becoming visible can also make you much more employable than you would be if you choose not to be visible.

See The Four Types of Attorneys: The Finder, Minder, Binder and Grinder for more information.

In terms of employability, visibility is important because it gives others a comfort level with you as a brand. No matter how large or small the legal market you are practicing in, you are a brand. In almost all cases, employers, like consumers, choose the more-familiar over the less-familiar brand. Become a familiar brand.
 

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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.