Why Would Someone Choose to Attend a For-Profit Law School?

Why would someone want to attend a for-profit law school? Here’s the deal: when you go to law school and pass the bar exam, what you’re really getting is a license. That license allows you to do something no one else can do unless they’ve gone through the same process: represent clients in court, give legal advice, and charge money for your services. It is, in many ways, a business license. Once you have it, you have the legal right to open your own practice, hang out a shingle, and start helping people. That’s an incredibly powerful thing, and it’s the reason many people go to law school in the first place.

Now, for-profit law schools often get a bad reputation because they don’t carry the prestige of elite law schools. If your goal is to work at a top law firm in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, then yes, prestige matters and going to a for-profit school may limit your opportunities. But the truth is, not everyone wants or needs to work at a huge law firm. For a lot of people, the goal is simply to get licensed. And if you graduate from a for-profit law school and pass the bar, you have the exact same license as someone who graduated from Harvard or Yale. You can still start your own practice. You can still represent clients. You can still build a career.


I used to run offices with recruiters taking calls from attorneys all over the country, and I remember hearing from lawyers in small towns—places with six or seven thousand people—who were the only attorney in the area. Imagine what that means: every person in that community who needs a will, a divorce, a criminal defense attorney, or help with a business contract has to come to you. There are markets like that scattered all across the country, and they can be very lucrative. In those situations, your clients don’t care if you went to a top-ten law school. What matters is that you’re licensed, accessible, and willing to help.

That’s one of the major advantages of having a law license, regardless of where you earn it. You’re not required to work in a large city or compete for associate positions at big firms. You can move to a smaller market, open your own office, and immediately become valuable to your community. Passing the bar gives you that option. And a for-profit law school, despite all the criticism they sometimes receive, can still put you in a position to get there.

Think about it: passing the bar is essentially like getting a business license. You pay your bar dues every year, complete your continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, and you’re in business. You have the freedom to choose your practice area, your location, and the kind of clients you want to serve. For some people, that independence is far more appealing than working in a big firm.

Historically, that’s exactly why people went to law school. They weren’t all chasing jobs at giant firms—those opportunities didn’t even exist for most lawyers. They went to law school to get a license, and then they built practices. Abraham Lincoln did exactly that: he studied, got licensed, and started practicing law. And countless attorneys have followed that same path.

So, why attend a for-profit law school? Because at the end of the day, you’re after the license. If your plan is to work in a small market, start your own practice, or simply carve out a niche where you can be your own boss, the law license is what matters—not the name of the school. And a for-profit law school can still give you exactly that.

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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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• 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
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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.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
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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.

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.
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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.