Chicago: The Pinnacle of the Midwest
Well known for its beautiful skyline along the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago, an economic powerhouse, is definitely a town you will visit and not want to leave. With the world's busiest airport, O'Hare, and its centralized location, Chicago is a one of the most popular destinations for business and pleasure in the United States. Chicago is home to some of the largest companies, including Boeing, Sears Roebuck, Kraft, Allstate, Motorola, McDonald's Corporation, and Exelon. According to the 2000 U.S. Department of Commerce Census, the population in Chicago grew by 4% from the period 1990 to 2000 (to approximately 2,895,000), and it is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, as well as one of the youngest, with a median age of 31.5. With a heavy concentration in the professional services, health care, finance, and manufacturing industries, Chicago ranked third to Los Angeles and New York in 2002 for total number of business establishments, according to Sales & Marketing Management's 2002 Report.
Tour Chicago's Fantastic Architecture by Foot, by Boat, or by Train: As Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper, Chicago's skyline is a study in modern architecture and includes three of the world's tallest buildings-the Sears Tower, the Amoco Building, and the John Hancock building. The Sears Tower, perhaps the most impressive, was completed in 1973 and looms high above other dramatic and impressive architectural Loop icons built by some of the world's most renowned architects, including Daniel Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright, Helmut Jahn, and Mies Van Der Rohe. Cruise the Chicago River on the Fort Dearborn, hop on the "el," or catch a Frank Lloyd Wright tour on foot.
Premier Shopping on the Magnificent Mile: Extending one incredible mile, Chicago's best-known shopping district, known as the Magnificent Mile, provides a delightful way to spend an afternoon. With more than 450 shops-including Tiffany's, Niketown, and Bloomingdale's-the Mag Mile extends from the edge of the Chicago business district (the Loop) to the Bloomingdale's building. The Water Tower Place-which houses a variety of shops, Bloomingdale's, and the shops at North Bridge-is a shopper's dream and provides a downtown mall shopping experience. Oak Street is a must, with upscale shops and boutiques, including Barney's and Prada. Revitalized, historical State Street in the Chicago Loop hosts Marshall Field's and the well-known Chicago Jeweler's Row.
Museum Campus, the Theatre District, and Millennium Park: Chicago has more than 50 museums and 200 theatres. Chicago's Museum Campus, which runs along the lakefront, encompasses some of the most highly regarded museums in the country, including the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago continue to be favorites for residents and tourists alike. Chicago's Theatre District provides a mini-New York feel, with the Cadillac Theatre, the Chicago Theatre, Steppenwolf (founded by Gary Sinise and where John Malkovich began his career), the Royal George, and the Goodman.
Da Bulls, Da Bears, Da Cubs, and Da Sox: Chicago is home to a number of entertaining and well-loved sports teams, including the Cubs (at Wrigley Field, on the north side of the city), the White Sox (at U.S. Cellular Field, loved by Chicago's south-siders), the Chicago Bulls (at the United Center), and the Bears (at Chicago's newly renovated Soldier Field), and the Blackhawks, and the Fire.
Jazz it Up or Get the Blues: The term "jazz" was coined in Chicago in 1914, and the city is well known for its great blues and jazz, which are alive in a variety of clubs and venues throughout the city. Visit Buddy Guy's, named after the legendary blues guitarist; the popular Kingston Mines; or Blues Chicago on Clark. Green Dolphin Street, the Green Mill, and Pop's for Champagne are also popular jazz joints.
A Diverse, International, and Livable City: Chicago ranks second only to New York in the diversity of its neighborhoods. With more than 70 neighborhoods, the City of Chicago has experienced remarkable growth and expansion over the past five to ten years, with most of the growth taking place in the River North, Bucktown, and Near North neighborhoods (closest to the Chicago business district, aka "the Loop"). Other great neighborhoods include Hyde Park, home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House and the University of Chicago; Chinatown; the Pullman District; Pilsen, home to the city's largest bohemian settlement; Little Italy, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Chicago; River West, with its trendy restaurants and chic galleries; Old Town; and the very popular Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville areas. With such a wide variety of neighborhoods from which to choose, living in Chicago is an attractive and convenient prospect.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!: Chicago is well known for its spectacular variety of great restaurants. Home to great pizza (with a few favorites, including Giordano's and Lou Malnati's), Chicago offers more than 20,000 phenomenal restaurants from which to choose. Want to experience one of the top 10? Tru, Charlie Trotter's, and Ambria immediately come to mind. Looking for a great steak? Be sure to visit Gene & Georgetti's, one of the oldest steakhouses in the city, or Gibson's, a popular place for celebrities. In the mood for a little romance? Ambria, Everest, Le Francais, and the Signature Room are but a few of the most popular choices. Need a little Italian flair? Coco Pazzo, Gioco, Spiaggia, and Vivere are excellent choices. These are but a few of the many delightful taste temptations that await you in this great city!
A Summer Haven of Activity: During the summer, the city comes alive with good weather and a variety of summer activities and festivals. The months of May through September are packed full of summer fun. Be sure to take in the Blues Fest, Taste of Chicago, The Air & Water Show, Venetian Night, the Gospel Music Festival, the Country Music Festival, and the Jazz Festival!
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
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.
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.