Book Review: What Can You Do With a Law Degree? A Lawyer's Guide to Career Alternatives Inside, Outside and Around the Law.

The Task Force thoroughly analyzed the issues from a variety of perspectives. A good deal of the recommendations that emerged were focused on institutional responses (e.g. how firms can promote career satisfaction through better internal training programs, how flexible work arrangements can promote work/family balance and how the BBA can decrease solo practitioner isolation by reinvigorating the BBA mentoring program). While the report does a terrific job of tackling the issues and proposing solutions at the macro level, individual attorneys wrestling with issues of career satisfaction may want some individual guidance. "What Can You Do With a Law Degree? A Lawyer's Guide to Career Alternatives Inside, Outside & Around the Law," Third Edition, provides that guidance. It is a well written, well organized, optimistic and completely updated handbook suitable for any attorney questioning his or her career choices.

The Third edition of "What Can You Do With a Law Degree" does not break any new ground in the area of attorney career planning. Career placement professionals in law schools have been telling law students for years the importance of self assessment, networking and building professional relationships as soon as possible. In this new edition, Arron does devote some time to the rules of the new workplace and offers valuable suggestions ("take responsibility for your own career development," "be adaptable and flexible," "build a career portfolio rather than trying to climb the ladder in one organization," "invest in life long learning," "look at technological savvy as a requirement, not an option"). But the real strength of her work is her great organization, wonderful anecdotes and easy to read format. She makes good use of bulleted lists, graphically offset information boxes and has a terrific set of appendices.


Deborah Arron has been in the attorney career business for over a decade. She wrote her first book, "Running From the Law" while on sabbatical from her law practice. She never did return to the practice of law, but instead has cultivated a national reputation in the area of attorney career development. The principal thesis of her book "What Can You Do With a Law Degree" is that many attorneys in career transition are asking the wrong question. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what can you do?" but rather, "what do you want to do next with your law degree?"
 

• See 60 Nontraditional Jobs You Can Do with a Law Degree (and Should Strongly Consider Doing) for more information about alternative careers for lawyers.

Early on, Deborah Arron demonstrates that she understands how many lawyers think about career moves. In her forward, she starts with a fictitious classified advertisement: "Law school graduates wanted for highly-paid positions in interesting fields. No previous experience necessary. Mail in your resume to fill an immediate job vacancy." She uses this ad to illustrate the point that many lawyers want a career move to fall into their laps. Most attorneys do not recognize that building a career takes a much more focused effort . She organizes her book to reflect the work that must be done. After an overview of career development in general and career development issues that face dissatisfied lawyers in particular, she includes sections on self-assessment, researching the job market, things to do when considering an exit from the legal profession, and specific tools and techniques to employ in a job hunt.

One of the most information packed sections of the book is the Appendix. In the 6 appendices, one can find references to career resources whether you are thinking about a career in public relations, software consulting or sports management. In this new edition, there are also references to Internet addresses for sources of information.

Scattered throughout the book are numerous anecdotes based on real conversations that Deborah Arron has had with attorneys in transition. In a discussion about resistance to change, she quotes a former practicing attorney who had been in the Air Force before becoming a lawyer. "One of the big lessons they tried to get across to us in the Air Force was when to bail out. Too often, pilots ride their planes into the ground because it seems more comfortable and familiar inside the cockpit of their crippled airplane than hanging outside from a parachute that might not open."

After reading "What Can You Do With a Law Degree," you may still have no idea what to do next. Deborah Arron does not provide exhaustive descriptions of job titles that attorneys have filled (although she does provide 15 pages of capsule summaries of a broad array of jobs). But that is exactly the point. The art of finding career satisfaction is a lot of work and demands much introspection and research. Instead, "What Can You Do With a Law Degree" provides an easy to follow travel guide that can get you on your way. The book will help you choose a destination and the book gives you resources to consult while en route. It can help you get to some exciting places where you can be a lot happier, but it is up to you to gather the information, make the choices and head towards a destination.


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.