Don’t Think Yourself into a Loser

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published April 23, 2012

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

Don’t let the bad news get to you. As a law student you’d already be aware that an average law student leaves college with an average loan more than $100,000. You already know that the economy is in bad shape and there are inflated positive numbers all around from employment data to advertisements of earning. You know that students taking the LSAT have reduced by a full quarter, and you might be worrying whether you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don’t worry, there are thousands of law students who are in your shoes, and you are not so special that the economy is conspiring to get you personally.

But you can be special. You can be better, and you can join the large majority of successful lawyers who still manage to have a good life, bank balance, vacations, cars, villas and everything you dreamt of. Admitted they don’t number in millions, but they do number in quite a few thousands. And there’s nothing that prevents you from joining their ranks unless you think yourself into a loser.

Don’t deny any opportunity to learn and better yourself, unless a better opportunity is available with a conflicting schedule. Do build rapport with your professors, half of the time they keep track of their successful students, and they usually go out of their way to help those who work hard.

Remember, in the workplace, the brilliant always do not get opportunities, but the reliable and hardworking do. That’s because small and middle sized firms are led by people who are individually brilliant. But the brilliant can’t get everything done by themselves and need lieutenants. They need ‘lieutenants’ but are not amenable to accede entry to another ‘commander.’

The reality is that we have progressed very little from ‘feudalistic’ mindsets, and even in big corporate houses, managers like to believe that they command people with unquestionable loyalty. Only to them, ‘unquestionably loyalty’ usually means people who would ‘never question their authority.’ That is why they look for the silent, hardworking, and averagely intelligent type. Their doors are closed to the brilliant.

So, know this, working hard and smart is going to get you somewhere definitely, but it may not get you anywhere just because you are able to outsmart others. Not at least at the beginning of your career.

So, be sure, there’s a job or practice out there waiting for you, as long as you are ready to work hard and smart. Look for opportunities to acquire complementary degrees or certifications that can substantiate your claim as a candidate. But at the end, remember, the greatest number of recruiters look for candidates who can look them in the eye and talk, but can still be relied upon to obey orders. Recruiters like meticulous and organized persons rather than the eccentric Einstein type, who is always a recruitment risk without a proven track record.

Network, keep track of your alumni, find mentors, work hard and find out how the successful are succeeding. Learn approaches and methods, become better at communicating, develop and exude congenial and positive attitudes and thank your stars that you are still a student and there’s something you can still do about the mess.

Do what you can, and don’t fret about what you can’t. Just focus on the positives and use your time intelligently. Don’t waste your time at law school for anything else but for the purpose you went there. If you are true to your purpose, the world would remain true to you. That’s guaranteed.

Just ensure one thing, don’t con yourself into becoming a loser.

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.

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.

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

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