But there are always new ways to present this material, and while the principles may seem simple, most of us fall down on implementation. In addition, most of what is in publication is aimed at new lawyers. There is not much in print for experienced lawyers who need help getting to the next step in their careers.
Two newly published books, "The Essential Little Book of Great Lawyering" and "The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers," fill this gap and both have something to offer senior associates who are trying to establish new career and marketing goals.
'Great Lawyering'
"The Essential Little Book of Great Lawyering" is written and self published by James Durham. Jim is no stranger to many in the Massachusetts legal community. In many ways, he is uniquely qualified to write a treatise on great lawyering.
Jim, who currently serves as chief marketing officer at Ropes & Gray, has practiced law in a large Boston firm and worked as an in-house attorney. He has also consulted with law firms all over the country on marketing and business development and has spoken to hundreds of buyers of legal services to learn how they make buying decisions.
"The Essential Little Book of Great Lawyering" is more like a pamphlet than a treatise; you can read it in less than an hour. But it is packed with thought-provoking nuggets.
Durham starts by debunking a commonly heard marketing mantra (i.e., that in order to generate business, it is no longer sufficient for lawyers to provide great legal service). He does this by redefining "great lawyering."
According to Durham, being a great lawyer means truly understanding a client's business. It means being "responsive and available." Being a great lawyer is not just about being a great technician.
In 53 pages, Durham packs a lot of wisdom for anyone looking to build a successful law practice. He does it in a way that is clear and the material is layered nicely (he tells us what he is going to say and then he tells us what he said).
His arguments are compelling and while he does not provide many anecdotes, that would have made this a very different (and much longer) read.
My only criticism is that his conclusions are troubling for anyone who cares about work/life balance. If being a great lawyer means always being available for a client, then it would seem that great lawyers can only take vacations where Blackberry service is available. I doubt this is what Durham means; but I'm not sure that his definition of a great lawyer leaves much room for uninterrupted family time or personal pursuits that have no marketing benefit.
'The Right Moves'
"The Right Moves: Job Search and Career Development Strategies for Lawyers," a new publication by the National Association for Law Placement, fills an important gap in the career library for lawyers.
There are many NALP and American Bar Association books to help law students and recent graduates choose a career path. There are also some very good books that can help dissatisfied lawyers assess whether to leave the profession. Until now, there has not been much on the market aimed at mid-level associates.
"The Right Moves" is an attempt to survey the career issues that confront a more experienced lawyer. The author, Valerie Fontaine, is a legal recruiter who has worked in the industry for more than 20 years.
The book is timely. It is now well documented that most law school graduates will leave their first employer within five years of graduation.
The book is a good compilation of the issues that might confront a mid-level associate and includes chapters on everything from planning a search to effective interviewing to making a smooth transition to a new firm.
The second chapter gives a good overview of the changes that have occurred in the legal profession in the past two decades. There are also some good lists (e.g., 20 questions to ask on an interview) and lots of practical tips ("don't burn bridges when you leave").
The book does have some areas for improvement. In the first chapter, the author discusses the importance of self-assessment and planning. But she offers little to help the reader accomplish this daunting task.
The second chapter on the new realities does describe the changes that have occurred in the legal profession; but the author could do more to suggest the practical implications of these changes.
Finally, the book could be strengthened with a lot with more anecdotes.
Nonetheless, "The Right Moves" is a good primer for any mid-level associate who is ready to think critically about his career. While no book can substitute for a good mentor or career professional, "The Right Moves" is a good way to get you started in your exploration.
Stephen Seckler is managing director of the Boston office of BCG Attorney Search, a national recruiting firm. He counsels associates and partners on lateral moves and maintains a blog at www.counseltocounsel.com/blog.html. He can be reached at seckler@bcgsearch.com
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.
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.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
