A: We humans have been partial to alcohol for something like 15,000 years. Even our primate cousins have been known to take a nip on occasion. Vervet monkeys living on St. Kitts, for instance, have learned how to get a natural buzz from fermented sugarcane. Presumably, their lifestyle is less stressful than that of the average overworked young lawyer, so it’s no surprise some attorneys have learned how to catch more than a buzz from elixirs stronger than rotting plant life.
In moderation, drinking is probably not harmful to most of us. This is a fact researchers have believed since the mid-1800s when British psychiatrist Sir Francis Anstie observed that male patients who kept within their limit of safe drinking (up to three drinks per day) stayed healthier, while those who exceeded it put themselves at higher risk for cirrhosis and other diseases. More recently, heart researchers have shown that up to a few drinks per day can actually protect middle-aged men from heart attacks and coronary heart disease. Alas, the risks of accidents, violence, some cancers, and hemorrhagic stroke escalate with alcohol consumption. When all ways of dying are factored in statistically, even men who stick to Anstie’s quota face a higher risk of premature demise than do abstainers.
All that said, a host of befuddling factors make your question fiendishly difficult to answer. Researchers at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) have studied variations in so-called drinking trajectories. Some people start within the recommended limits and remain there for the rest of their lives. But up to 13 percent of Americans veer off course, winding up with some form of alcohol disorder. Many researchers have concluded that lawyers are especially susceptible to overindulgence. One study found that of a cross-section of practicing attorneys, 70 percent had experienced some kind of "clinically significant negative consequences" related to alcohol abuse. Researchers have tried hard to develop measures that distinguish between reasonable and problem drinking. One of the most accurate is the CAGE test, a simple four-question exam. "The CAGE test has been compared against longer and more sophisticated measures," says Ann Bradley, an NIAAA spokesperson, "and it has consistently proved an excellent means of screening for drinking problems." The questions:
- Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Have you ever had an eye-opener to steady your nerves or quell a hangover upon awakening?
A single "yes" indicates a possible drinking problem. More than one indicates a likelihood. Even if you answer "no" to all four but drinking has caused grief at home, work, or with the law, talk to your doctor about curbing the habit. If you decide it makes sense to cut back, the NIAAA offers some practical tips at its Web site, http://niaaa.nih.gov, plus information on how to get serious help.
What to Do
1. Write down your reasons for cutting down. For example, "My colleagues make more sense when I’m not distracted by cockroaches crawling over my flesh."
2. Set a drinking goal and post where you’ll see it daily—a pop-up on your laptop screen, for instance, or your medicine cabinet.
3. Keep a drinking diary for a month, noting where and when you drink every drink. Compare your actual intake with your goal. You shouldn’t need a calculator to compute discrepancies.
4. Don’t keep alcohol at home.
5. Drink slowly, and never on an empty stomach. Swig something nonalcoholic between each glass of booze.
6. Skip a day or two a week. Try to work up to a week of abstinence. Note your physical and emotional states on the dry days. If they improve, use it as motivation to meet your goal. If you find yourself rationalizing, you have our permission to treat yourself as a hostile witness and cross-examine fiercely.
- See Top 14 Ways Attorneys Can Avoid Burnout from the Stress of Practicing Law for more information.
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:
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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:
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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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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:
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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:
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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.
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.
