What is the Best Way for Attorneys to Turn Down a Law Firm Offer?

 

Harrison Barnes

I was included in the following email string a couple of years ago ago that was probably circulated to tens of thousands of attorneys.  I will quote it below in full since it is so instructive:

From: ###
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 9:23 p.m.
To: @@@
Subject: Thank you
Dear Attorney ###,

At this time, I am writing to inform you that I will not be accepting your offer.

After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the pay you are offering would neither fulfill me nor support the lifestyle I am living in light of the work I would be doing for you. I have decided instead to work for myself, and reap 100% of the benefits that I sow.

Thank you for the interviews.
###, Esq.
-----Original Message-----
From: ###
To: ###
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 12:15 p.m.
Subject: RE: Thank you
### --
Given that you had two interviews, were offered and accepted the job (indeed, you had a definite start date), I am surprised that you chose an e-mail and a 9:30 p.m. voicemail message to convey this information to me. It smacks of immaturity and is quite unprofessional. Indeed, I did rely upon your acceptance by ordering stationary and business cards with your name, reformatting a computer and setting up both internal and external e-mails for you here at the office. While I do not quarrel with your reasoning, I am extremely disappointed in the way this played out. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
#
-----Original Message-----
From: ###
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:01 p.m.
To: ###
Subject: Re: Thank you
A real lawyer would have put the contract into writing and not exercised any such reliance until he did so.
Again, thank you.
-----Original Message-----
From: ###
To: ###
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:18 p.m.
Subject: RE: Thank you
Thank you for the refresher course on contracts. This is not a bar exam question. You need to realize that this is a very small legal community, especially the criminal defense bar. Do you really want to start pissing off more experienced lawyers at this early stage of your career?
-----Original Message-----
From: ##
To: ###
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:28 p.m.
Subject: Re: Thank you
bla bla bla

I have thought about this email numerous times since I received it and believe it is very useful for framing any discussion regarding how to turn down an offer.  Invariably, most attorneys and law students find themselves in a position where they receive an offer from an employer and decide-for a variety of reasons-to turn down the offer.  When you receive an offer you are going to turn down there are several things you need to remember.

First, regardless of what city you are in the legal community is small.  Even in a city as large as New York you are likely to come across attorneys in your practice area again and again throughout your career.  You will run into them at bar events.  You will encounter them in the course of your practice.  Some of these attorneys may join a firm or company you are with in the future.  Numerous, numerous encounters will happen.  You always want to have good public relations on your side.

If you burn bridges or anger people when turning down an offer they will resent this and they will get back at you in some way most likely.  You need to be very, very careful.  No one is omnipotent.

Second, if you received an offer there was most likely some sort of connection between you and the employer-something clicked right.  You received an offer because someone liked you and believed that you could do a good job with the firm.  You need to embrace and treat people who believe in you well.  Not doing this is a huge mistake.  The most important people to you in your career are the people who have believed in you.  Do not forget this.

I remember hearing a very famous and successful lawyer address a group of people one time in the past.  I would estimate that this particular attorney had a book of business in excess of $10,000,000 and the attorney was very impressive personally and professionally on numerous levels.  This attorney stated that the biggest mistake he made in his career was not being better friends with people in law school and not getting closer to attorneys he met when he was younger.  I thought a lot about this and realized that one of the biggest mistakes that people make is not getting closer and having a better relationship with people.  You never know who can help you along the way to success throughout your career.

Third, you may need a job from the firm you turned an offer down from in the future.  The marketability of an attorney in a given practice area and firm can change at the speed of light.  One day corporate is the hottest practice area and the next it is the worst practice area and attorneys are forced to change careers it is so slow.  You simply never know and need to be very, very careful.  Do not overestimate yourself.

Throughout my career as a legal recruiter I have seen many an attorney receive an offer and turn it down for a larger firm, a higher paying job-you name it-and then several months later lose a job or decide that the job is not what they want.  You need to understand that where you are today in terms of your marketability may not be where you are tomorrow.  Regardless of where you went to law school, what firm you are currently at-you name it-that can all change in an instant.  Do not forget this.

Fourth, if you conduct yourself well the employer may come back with a counter offer.  I have seen associates offered partner positions by the same firm after turning down an offer.  I have seen salaries increased and all sorts of other great things happen.  You do not need to give specific reasons for turning down the offer-but you need to remember that if you conduct yourself with class you do not know what sort of good things may happen.  Be very, very alert that what is a negative thing you are doing could turn out to be a real positive if handled well.  You just never know.

This brings me to the answer to the question.  When you turn down an offer you need to make the party you are turning down the offer from think it is the hardest decision you have ever made.  You want them on your side.  You want turning down the offer to be a positive experience for you and the party you are turning down the offer from.  You want the person you are turning down the offer from to be your advocate in the future-you need them on your side regardless of what you may believe at this moment.  Create a positive aurora around you and your career and use the offer as an opportunity to do this.

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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.