Should You Start Your Own Law Practice After Losing Your Attorney Job at a Law Firm?

Answer:

I don't think my opinion really matters at this point. He doesn't have a job right now and based on what you have told us, it doesn't sound like he has any offers in the making. What matters is how your husband keeps his practice going and manages to hang on to his current business, meager though it may be. $70,000 in portable business is not enough to make your husband an attractive candidate to other law firms but if he stays unemployed for a period of time, he will probably lose those clients, and then where will he be?


Does he have any other options at this time other than going into his own practice? Has he covered all of his bases in terms of networking, contacting firms, speaking with local recruiters, etc.? The T&E/tax practice area is a difficult one in which to build up a significant practice. Generally, those attorneys rely on business from the law firm's existing client base in addition to their own contacts. From there, a significant practice can be built; however, it would seem to be very difficult to do this from a solo practitioner's office. There are a few really successful T&E attorneys but they have large departments supporting their business and have very visible profiles – which took years of hard work to develop.

Perhaps he might want to look in a different direction before hanging out his own shingle. Over the past 10-15 years, matrimonial departments have sprung up at many law firms. With his T&E/tax expertise, your husband could add an important dimension to these family law practice groups.

Another avenue to investigate would be with the legal departments of accounting firms as well as corporations and investment banks. All of these entities employ tax attorneys and the T&E expertise lends to his viability as a candidate.

Now, here is the big question: Just exactly what did happen at his law firm? I have a hard time understanding why a firm would hire him to undermine one of its partners. What was his understanding of the job description? Obviously this partner has more than enough business if your husband was coming in as a "back-up," which is otherwise known as a service partner.

How did he undermine this partner? This is really important for him to analyze rather than for you to get to the bottom of it. Unless he truly understands what happened, he is liable to fall into the same pattern at his next job, whether it is at a law firm, a corporation or his own shop.

Additionally, what is the firm going to say about him if and when a potential employer wants to check references? If the reference says that your husband was an undermining force, I doubt that anyone will be interested in hiring him. Your husband really must deal with what happened at this firm and figure out what he will say on interviews when asked why he is no longer with the firm. And of equal importance, he needs to know what his references from this firm are going to say about him.

I think it is a wonderful goal to want to have a decent size practice but just wanting something and knowing some accountants, lawyers and financial planners is not going to make his dream come true. It is critical that he sit down and develop a realistic business plan and then, whether he is working for himself or at another law firm, follow that plan and execute it perfectly. The best possible situation would be for him to find a firm where someone is willing to mentor him and help him reach his goals. However, since it does not seem that another law firm job is in the offing at this moment, he should start checking into bar associations or sections that help sole practitioners build their practice as well as taking advantage of any lecture or class that will help him understand the business aspect of running his own business.

See the Top 32 Reasons Attorneys Lose Their Jobs Inside of Law Firms to learn some of the most common reasons attorneys are fired or let go from law firms.

It is not an easy task to start your own business so the best advice I can give to you is to be as supportive as you possibly can be in your husband's new endeavor. He will need to work long hours to get the practice started and will have to be out networking (taking people out for meals, playing golf, taking on speaking engagements, etc.) to make sure that he will reach his goal. Hang in there with him and hopefully the future will bring only good things to both of you.

See the following articles for more information:

• Should You Start Your Own Law Firm? Top 10 Reasons to Start and Not to Start Your Own Firm
• Finding a New Home for Your Practice
• Partner Leaving to Start Own Firm Offers Associate Chance to Become Partner

 


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.