Your Career Is Your Business. So What's Your Business Plan?

1. Do You Have a Career Map?
Most attorneys will agree that besides their families and their health, their careers are probably the most important aspects of their lives. If, however, you are like most attorneys out there, you probably spent more time working on your last project than you have ever spent sitting down and planning out your career goals.


I will be the first to admit that when I was practicing in a large firm, I rarely took the time to assess my goals and priorities-where I wanted to go with my career, what was most important to me in my practice, what I enjoyed doing the most, and what I enjoyed doing the least. I pretty much reacted to whatever work I was given and tried to do it well. If I felt that I was doing a good job on the work I was being given, all was well. End of discussion. No need to think or analyze it any further.

Now, as a legal search consultant who spends his days assisting both associates and partners with job transitions, I see on a daily basis how crucial it is to have a "career map" of where you are and where you want to be. Those attorneys who take the time to develop a "career map" are much more focused, self-aware, and successful in their careers. Rather than reacting to external factors (e.g., receiving a lower-than-expected bonus or a less-than-stellar performance review), these proactive attorneys treat their careers like small businesses and maintain a constant awareness of where they are, their goals and priorities, and whether they are staying on course. They make changes based on their personal priorities and goals, not on external factors.

If you have not yet taken the time to do a career inventory and develop a career map, here are a few tips to help get the wheels turning.


2. Has Your Definition of Success Changed Since Law School?
Many attorneys find themselves in career dilemmas by having an outdated definition of success. I believe this starts during law school. For example, while in law school, most people had one single definition of success: landing a job in a prestigious firm (and one that pays a lot of money). The type of work or "fit of the practice" with your personality was of little importance as long as the firm had a prestigious reputation.

While some scoff at this definition of success, I think there is nothing wrong with holding this view very early in your career. Though making the most money is certainly helpful for paying down law school loans, having a prestigious position will usually provide excellent training and will open many doors down the road. Unfortunately, many attorneys often stay hitched to their outdated law school definition of success, even though their lives and circumstances have changed significantly over the years.

As your career progresses, realize that your definition of success will likely change as well. For example, if you were 26 years old, single, and working 2,600 hours a year at a prestigious firm in a practice area that you did not really enjoy but were receiving glowing reviews and huge yearly bonuses, you most likely viewed yourself as a success. You were tough enough to suck it up, were admired and respected by peers and colleagues alike, made a very handsome salary, and were quickly paying off law school loans.

If, however, you are now 35 years old, married with 2.3 children, and no longer paying off law school loans, your definition of success may have changed. For example, now you may be much more centered on finding an area of the law that you truly enjoy and look forward to on a day-to-day basis.

Put simply, is your definition of success still the same one that you had when you graduated from law school? If so, and you are further along in your career, maybe it's time to reevaluate and update your definition of success.


3. Do you spend most of your time doing what you like or dislike?
Take a few moments to think about a typical day at work. What aspects do you look forward to the most? Speaking with clients on the phone? Meeting with clients in person? Sitting down in your office with a cup of coffee, closing the door, and churning out a brief? Going to court? Mentoring? Negotiating? Beating the other side to a pulp?

On the other hand, what do you enjoy doing least? Document production? Handling discovery? Talking to clients? Working on certain types of transactions? Going to court?

Now, think about what percentage of your day you spend doing what you enjoy and how much of your day is spent working on things you typically dislike? 60/40%? 80/20%? If you are spending most of your time doing what you enjoy, you are obviously in a good place, will likely be more successful because you enjoy what you are doing, and will perform at the highest level.

If, on the other hand, you are spending a majority of your time doing tasks or working on projects that you dislike, you are probably in an atmosphere that does not play to your personality and your unique strengths. Most attorneys in these situations-no matter how hard they work or how dedicated they try to be-typically lose steam within a few years and find themselves reassessing their careers and making substantial "course corrections" at a later time.

While the above may seem like an oversimplified and idealistic thought process, I am intimately familiar with the fact that you need to put in your time to reach a point where you will enjoy the practice much more and receive the opportunity to do what many attorneys consider the good stuff (e.g., counseling clients directly, attending client meetings, etc.) Still, you must make sure you are putting in your time for a position that you really want and see yourself thriving in.

Here's another way to assess your career. Take a close look at your superiors at work (or those that are in the position you are striving for, such as partner). When you observe what they do on a daily basis, do you get excited? If you could waive a magic wand and switch places with them today, would you? If your answer is a resounding yes, then you are most likely on the right course. If you are not sure whether you would switch places with your superior or the thought of having to make this decision gives you a knot in your stomach, you may need to reevaluate your path.


4. What Are Your Three- to Five-Year Goals?
Many of us are caught up in what needs to be done today, tomorrow, or next week, but not much further. Thus, another good exercise is to map out your goals that extend beyond one or two months. Where do you want to be in three to five years? Do you want to be doing what you're doing right now? Do you want to be in the same practice area? Do you hope to be with the same firm or company? What do you want your position to be? Of Counsel? Partner? General Counsel? How much money do you want to be making? With whom do you want to be working? How many hours do you want to be working?


5. So Are You on the Proper Course?
Trying to answer these questions can be somewhat stressful because they cause you think about your career in a proactive sense rather than a reactive one. If you are a younger attorney, you have probably been told what you need to do to succeed at your firm or organization. Thus, there's something easy and comforting about just doing what you're told and having the map laid out for you.

As such, if you've analyzed your current situation and determined that 1) you are pretty happy following the firm's roadmap to success and 2) you know where you want to be in a few years and think you are on the right track, the phrase "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" leaps to mind.

What happens, however, when following that roadmap does not necessarily align with your own personal goals and priorities? This friction causes some attorneys to just avoid the subject altogether, crumple up their career maps, put their heads in the sand, and hope that things will somehow work themselves out in the future.

I believe the wiser course, however, lies in realizing the critical importance of having a clear map, taking the time to reflect on goals, and making proper "course corrections." Interestingly, each time I have seen someone begin this process, I watched him/her embrace it and grow increasingly excited about moving in a direction that congruent with his/her personalities, priorities, and goals. Even if you find that you are indeed on the right course, you will move forward confident in this new understanding and find you are better able to make the right choices as new opportunities present themselves along your own personal road to success.


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.