Managing Your Career in a Declining Market

Many associates have noticed little change. Public offerings have been replaced by private offerings, licensing and M&A. Commercial real-estate deals and commercial, employment and IP litigation continue to supply associates with ample billable hours. The demand for transactional IP lawyers continues to be robust.


But what if you are one of those associates who is finding it difficult to fill your day with billable work? What if you are experiencing a real slowdown? How should you focus your energies? What should you do if you are beginning to feel like your job is in jeopardy? Here are some practical suggestions:
 

1. Do nothing. At the first signs of a slowdown in workload, it is important not to be rash. Career decisions, like financial investment decisions, are best made in a cool and rational manner.
   
   Rumors of a slowdown in work will spread quickly and before you know it headhunters will be calling to let you know who can keep you busier. Resist the temptation to follow up on these opportunities until you have had the chance to reflect properly. Find out if your colleagues are experiencing the same drop-off.
    
2. Be proactive and positive. Gail Cutter, director of career counseling and placement at NYU Law School, suggests that the best defense is a good offense. According to Cutter, the best talent will always be in demand, but in an uncertain legal market the stakes are higher.
   
   In other words, don't sit around waiting for partners and clients to call. Find out if anything needs to be done and do it. Most importantly, do not become a whiner or someone who is helping to foment bad rumors about the demise of the firm.
    
3. Carpe diem. If you are a driven attorney who thrives on deadlines, looking for ways to fill your day is a scary proposition. But try to look at the opportunities presented by your newly discovered free time.
   
   If you really take the time to list all of those important but not urgent activities, it won't be long before your plate is once again full. Take the time to organize your office and schedule lunches with potential referral sources.
   
   You can also sign up for CLE programs. If you have time on your hands, get caught up on continuing education and catch up with your professional reading.
   
   Take a few minutes to assess your weaknesses. Consider your substantive weaknesses, but also look at how you are using technology in your practice and decide if there are any ways that you can improve your efficiency. Use CLE programs to explore new practice areas.
   
   Remember that article you wanted to write? Getting published is a good way to increase your visibility. Perhaps you can co-write an article with a partner (ask around and you will surely find a partner who has not had time to get started on something; suggest that you co-author the article of course, you will do most of the work, but you will also gain recognition by appearing in print beside the partner).
   
   Get active in an industry group. Marketing professional services is all about relationship building. The sooner you begin to cultivate relationships with potential sources of business, the sooner you will begin to reap the rewards of bringing in your own business. Volunteer to speak on a legal topic for an industry group that interests you. See if there are ways that you can be helpful to an association.
   
   Do not expect overnight results. It can take several years to turn these relationships into business. The important thing is to get started, and if you have time on your hands why not start now?
    
4. Take some vacation time. The reward for hard work should not be more work. If you spent a lot of late nights in the office last year, now is the time to take that trip you have been meaning to schedule. Spoil yourself. The soul needs to be recharged periodically and you'll be more focused when you return.
    
5. Assess your financial situation. Do you have the resources to weather a brief period of unemployment? If your work has really slowed down, the reality is that your job may be in jeopardy. In anticipation of this, you may want to save some money in case you need to weather a period of unemployment. Are there any unnecessary expenses that you can cut?
   
   If you started practicing within the past five years, all of this uncertainty may be very anxiety-producing. But you might as well get used to it and learn to make the most of the downturn. Unless you plan to retire soon, this is only the first of several downturns you'll experience during your professional life. It will never be easy to get through these periods; but if you apply some of these techniques, the next time will be a little easier.

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
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
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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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• 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.
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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.
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• 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.