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Things to Consider After Legal Career Layoff

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published October 20, 2009

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

These days something that is most rampant in the job sector irrespective of the field in question is a potential layoff that is coming up. A layoff situation seems to be prevalent anywhere and everywhere and the legal field is no exception in this context. The current business economy is one conundrum of activity which could go in any direction at any given time. The competitive scale has been given a jolt and it has forced individuals on to a platform where they need to show that they are the best. A lot of good could come off such a situation besides the obvious bad. Both the minor businesses and the major corporations are announcing numerous layoffs in record breaking numbers all throughout the country. One of the most fear-evoking situations ever would be that an employee is left with a huge debt with no means to see it through. In such a situation, he or she has no clear idea of what their rights are in the first place.

Most laid-off employees do not realize that even they are entitled to absolute rights as employees of an organization even if the latter has shut its doors on them. A layoff is something that turns your entire life upside down forcing it to get derailed in a brief instance. Life is a parody of such undesirable incidents culminating into situations where you find yourself unprepared and vulnerable. When something like this happens, one needs to settle down into a calm zone and realize the fact that you are not alone in your crisis and this is not happening for the first time. It is just a phase that you are going through to truly understand what your capabilities are. As a legal practitioner who has just been laid-off, you will be able to find hordes of others like you who suddenly wake up to realize that they don't have a job anymore.

But then again, even this cloud has a silver lining to it. It can be stated with a considerable level of confidence that such a layoff can be considered as a blessing in disguise for your legal career. This in fact can be your rare chance to stop for a while. Just wait up for a second. Take a break and focus on what you have been doing with your life up to the current date, what you have learned from it, and which way you want it to go henceforth.

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Thereon once you have made up your mind as to which way you want to head, start your targeted search for a new job as soon as possible. But then you will need to keep in mind that unlike a normal job seeker, you will need to move on with a lot of stress. Being laid off is a common confidence destroyer even though the situation may be that your credentials or performance at the job had nothing to do with you being laid off. In such a scenario, be aware that job hunting is not going to be much of a walk in the park for you. You will have to maintain a very calm nerve in spite of the rage of emotions that you go through including despair, sadness, and confusion. But then whatever it is the layoff shouldn't be a factor that affects your confidence level as you need to realize that the layoff was not a personal decision based on your talents or performance as a lawyer. It was merely an absolutely financially-backed decision taken from the point of view of business salvage from the management perspective.

Just pull yourself together and shift to a more paced-up gear. Do not forget to collect all your details and certificates from the prior legal employer you were working with. There is not a shred of discomfort that needs to come to your mind as you are entitled to these. This will also include your Insurance Coverage and Employment Compensation as a part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

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 defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • 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.

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.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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