Don’t Be Your Own Roadblock

As attorneys, we are trained to look for problems. Being lawyers means that we look at the world differently than everyone else, and this worldview permeates every aspect of our lives. We constantly think about everything that could go wrong, in any situation. Sometimes, however, we have to make sure not to stand in the way of our own success.  One of the areas in which lawyers can be too skeptical is in making a successful career transition.

While you are hunting for a new job, keep in mind your own skeptical lawyerly nature.  The attorneys I speak with often walk in thinking that they have an idea what each and every potential firm or group is like, by reputation.  On a similar note, many attorneys are dead set on leaving law firm life altogether and going in house, because they think they know what that life is all about.  The goal of this article is singular: to encourage you to keep an open mind, and not to dismiss any opportunities out of hand, and not to hear negatives at every turn.
 

1. Do your own homework.

When I was practicing law, I knew an associate who absolutely hated her job.  She had been a law school classmate of mine at Georgetown, and, while very bright, was (in my opinion) something of a rigid thinker.   She joined a large law firm where, at least in her practice group, the partners resented having to tell associates which direction to take.  Creative solutions were rewarded in this group, and associates were encouraged to offer ideas and strategy as soon as they walked in the door.  Needless to say, not all junior associates function well this way, and my former classmate was miserable.  She was exhausted from the high volume of work, and did not appreciate passing non-billable time examining every avenue.  “Why won’t they just tell me what they want from me?” She would complain.


Of course, she eventually left the firm with a bitter taste in her mouth, and had many nasty tales to tell about the partners and the group.  Shortly after, another attorney I knew filled her slot, and she loved it there.  She had come from a firm where she had been stuck on low-level projects where she billed tons of hours and did not feel she was learning anything. She couldn’t have been happier to take my classmate’s slot, and, I believe, she remains at the firm to this day.

Another attorney I know went in-house after four years at a large firm.  He couldn’t wait to put his feet up on the desk and live a comfortable in-house life.  He “knew,” from other attorneys who had made the change that in-house lawyers have a better lifestyle, and he was done with firms.  Well, the economy tanked, several of the attorneys at his company were let go, and he worked harder and longer than he ever had at the firm.  Eventually the company failed altogether, he wound it down, and went back to his former firm.

The moral of the story is this: don’t believe what you hear, from anyone.  Find out for yourself.  Apply for the opportunity, and go in and talk to the people there.  Ask questions and really listen to what they are telling you about what it is like to work there.  You might decide, post-interview, that it isn’t right for you.  But don’t throw up a roadblock sight unseen, without finding out for yourself.
 

2. Go the extra mile in the interview process.

Another way in which I’ve seen associates limit their own chances of landing a great job is by refusing to go the extra mile in the interview process.  If a firm calls your recruiter and asks you to come in for an interview this afternoon, you should move heaven and earth to do it.  Why? Because the firm is excited about you, and you want to let them know you are equally excited about them too.  They have asked you for interview.  Jump on the chance.

What if a firm wants you to come in from out of town on your own dime?  I have seen associates react with disdain at requests from firms to let them know when they will be in town.  Don’t!  The firm is asking you for an interview!  I have seen huge firms arrange interviews this way, and I have placed attorneys with those firms after these interviews.  It doesn’t mean the firm is not all that interested in you.  Many firms, even the biggest, are fiscally conservative, and many have rules about how far away someone needs to live before they will fly them in.  I have seen it become more and more prevalent.  Don’t become skeptical because the firm won’t pay to fly you in.  Instead, do your best to say yes.  Make yourself available. Stay with friends. Get in the car and drive.  Do what it takes to get them to meet you.
 

3. Don’t shut down the process because you hear something you don’t like.

A few months back, an associate came to me after an initial interview and said, “I want to withdraw my candidacy.”  When I asked why, she said that one of the associates in the interview process told her that she would have to start out in an area of law that she didn’t like and “do her time” in order to progress to “better” work down the road.  Because she mentioned this to me, and I have a relationship with the firm, I was able to negotiate a work arrangement for her that avoided the undesirable stepping-stone work.  If you hear something you don’t like, that is when you begin a conversation, not when you end it.

In sum, I have seen attorneys, almost without realizing it, try to shut down their own interview process because of their skepticism.  Doing this forecloses potentially excellent opportunities.   Keep an open mind, and don’t be the reason you don’t end up in what could be a great job for you.


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.

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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
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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.
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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:

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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.

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• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
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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.