How to Put Yourself Back on Track as an Attorney by Taking a Public Interest Job

While many attorneys think of public interest law as a "step down," it can actually be an incredible way to recharge your career and find a new direction. Whether you're looking to escape the grind of BigLaw or seeking to realign your work with your personal values, public interest organizations offer a unique opportunity to chart a new path.
 

• Looking for a career reset? Consider public interest work in leading law firms. For a list of top plaintiff firms, explore our Top Plaintiff Law Firms | Best Securities & Class Action Firms.

 

Find New Types of Employers to Sell Your Talent To

 

One of the most important decisions you can make as an attorney is choosing the right employer. Traditionally, attorneys have gravitated towards law firms, but it’s time to broaden your perspective. The legal landscape is vast, and many career opportunities lie outside of the familiar walls of law firms. You can sell your services to government agencies, in-house legal teams, law schools, or public interest organizations.

I’ve seen attorneys who were making upwards of $250,000 a year in law firms take positions in public interest roles with salaries far lower—sometimes as low as $30,000 a year. But these were not "downgrade" positions. They were competitive jobs that provided more meaning, flexibility, and a renewed sense of purpose. These attorneys weren’t leaving the legal profession; they were redirecting their focus toward something they felt truly passionate about.

This is the key: Going into a public interest job, or any non-traditional legal role, isn't about stepping down. It’s about stepping off your current S-curve and beginning a new one. Whether you’re becoming an in-house counsel, a law professor, or diving into a nonprofit’s legal team, these roles give you a chance to redefine your professional journey, all while maintaining or enhancing your marketability.

Public interest jobs offer a unique opportunity to shift the trajectory of your career. They allow you to step away from the day-to-day pressures of client work and instead focus on the broader impact of your legal skills. These roles can also provide a much-needed break from the competitive and often draining dynamics of private law practice.
 

• This video on intelligence, work ethic, and perseverance as the foundation for legal success shows how these qualities can reignite your career momentum—no matter the setting.

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Start a New Path with a Public Interest Job

Public interest work can provide an alternative career path that emphasizes personal satisfaction, work-life balance, and tangible societal impact. By focusing on issues such as civil rights, environmental law, or social justice, attorneys can reconnect with their core values. It’s a great opportunity for those who are burnt out or feeling stuck to realign their passions with their profession.

Furthermore, the diverse experience gained in a public interest role is often valued by future employers, especially those in the public sector or academia. This unique blend of skills and perspective can provide you with new opportunities in ways you might not expect. Law professors, for example, often have a rich background in public interest work that enhances their academic perspectives and teaching methods. In-house counsel roles, too, can benefit from experience in public service because they require lawyers who understand a wide range of issues, from compliance to employee relations.

The public interest field is not a career dead-end. It’s a new beginning. For many attorneys, public interest jobs offer the flexibility and fulfillment that traditional law firm positions may not.
 

Conclusion

Taking a public interest job may seem like an unconventional choice, but it could very well be the reset button your legal career needs. By stepping away from the familiar structures of law firms and embracing new employers, such as government agencies or nonprofits, you open up new pathways for growth, personal satisfaction, and professional achievement. In many ways, these positions can offer more flexibility, a greater sense of purpose, and, importantly, a new chance to realign your career with what truly matters to you.

If you’re an attorney feeling burnt out or seeking something more meaningful, consider the public interest sector. It may offer the fresh start and direction you’ve been looking for.
 

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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
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• 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.