Achieving Career Satisfaction: Make the Investment, But Choose Your Investments Carefully

For over 10 years, Danielle worked in the in-house legal department of a prominent hi-tech company. When the downsizing first occurred, she survived a wave of layoffs; but the second time, she was not so lucky. Danielle began networking around the Route 128 belt and even responded to some ads she saw; but after three months, she still had not received any offers. She did, however, identify a number of companies who were willing to hire her on a project basis. Danielle took a closer look at the track record of these companies. She then approached the two with the best performance histories and agreed to come on board in a temporary part-time capacity. After six months, the first company asked her to stay with the firm on a permanent part-time basis. Two months later, the second company followed suit. With the two part-time incomes, Danielle is earning a very nice full-time salary (one that exceeds her former full-time salary.).

Jim and Danielle's stories are not unique, but they are also not the norm. For many attorneys, career planning is a much more reactive process. The fallacious belief is that hard work will lead to better opportunity (either within an organization or in another organization). While this may still be true for some, the workplace has changed and now more than ever, attorneys must take responsibility for their own career development.


Both anecdotes illustrate how taking a proactive approach can help build a career. In each case, the attorneys had to settle for less in the short run in order to achieve a longterm objective. In Jim's case, he was willing to add to an already significant workload in order to gain the experience he lacked. In Danielle's case, she was able to make the shift from looking for a permanent full-time job to working for two separate employers on a part-time basis.

There are other examples of creative ways that attorneys have gotten job offers and increased their work satisfaction. There is the Canadian lawyer who worked for a firm on a volunteer basis for one month just to get his foot in the door (He was fortunate to have the resources to be able to do this but in truth, it might have taken him much longer had he only been willing to settle for a paying legal job.) There is the example of the New York associate who had his sights set on a particular Massachusetts state agency. He made a deal with his New York firm to work three days a week for his pro rata salary. He then came to Massachusetts 2 days a week and volunteered his time for the agency. After a long and difficult year, he finally received an offer of full-time employment with the agency in Massachusetts.

Making an investment in yourself can come in many forms. Sometimes the end product is enhanced career satisfaction from within (e.g. by achieving partnership or by switching to another practice area). Sometimes the end product is a more fulfilling job elsewhere. Whatever the investment that you make, the investment should be driven by your ultimate goal whether it is making partner, establishing your own practice, going in-house, or getting a quasi-legal job in industry or in the non-profit sector. While there may be many choices which can help move you toward your goal, the important thing is to have a goal. Here are some do's and don't to help you along the way.
 

• Don't be afraid to ask for the work you really want. Don't be afraid to remind the partners of your interest (they are very busy and may forget).
• Do take on pro bono work that gives you the experience you lack. Pro bono work can be on behalf of individuals or institutions.
• Don't leave your job just because you hate it. Sticking it out for a couple of years may position you for the job you really want.
• Don't stick with a job that is leading nowhere. If you need the income, try to negotiate reduced hours so that you can pursue your interests more effectively.
• Do spend time attending Bar Association meetings and make a point of introducing yourself to people. Do get involved in volunteer activities with the bar to increase your professional contacts.
• Do attend CLE programs to enhance your skills
• Do get involved in law firm committees
• In general, take the time to network: follow this link for an overview of networking
• Don't neglect your work.
• Don't interview at other firms just to gain leverage at your existing firm (this can really backfire)

Finding career satisfaction is a lifelong process that you should revisit periodically (even after achieving your "ultimate goal"). The point is not to do everything that has been suggested. If you are already working long hours, you may not have the time. Rather, the point is to always be thinking about doing an excellent job and always be thinking about getting involved in some other activity (or activities) that are moving you toward your next career step.

Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator


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.