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How I Learned to Say No Early in My Career as a Lawyer

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published September 18, 2012

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

If you are reading this article, then maybe you are in a position I was in about 20 years ago. Maybe not in the same position, inasmuch as, I never even aspired for a job, for I knew Big Law was never going to hire me. I had a law license, but had no idea how to go about things and become a lawyer. I had passed the bar, but deep down, I knew, I was only a lawyer in name and on papers.

I did not have the connections, the dash, or the pedigree. Nobody cared about my JD certificate, and almost none cared about what was going to happen to me. I had no one in my family practicing law, no connections at court, and I was a full-scale introvert – meaning I had few friends, and even those whom I had, had no idea about the career track of a lawyer.

But I prevailed. I made mistakes. Big mistakes that still make me feel embarrassed when I think about them, but I worked, and learned, and made mistakes and learned, and learned that one happy client was worth a minimum of $100,000, over a small lawyer's career, even if he may be paying only pittance up front. So, having about 20 good and happy clients, even small clients, was great for a starter, because law practice grows and reduces in geometric progression.

I remember, I began my journey at the chamber of a great lawyer – one of the most well-known in my state, and also known nationally. From him, whom I shall not name, I received my first lesson of greatness.

It was on a Saturday evening that I first met the person whom I still take to be one of my greatest teachers. I had made a prior appointment over the phone, and waited with bated breath in the lounge outside his cabin, hoping to join his firm as an associate. He called me in after some time and graciously asked me to take a seat.

I must admit I still feel indebted that he even spared one minute to listen to what I had to say. But he did listen, and gave a full 15 minutes hearing to my blusters and efforts to prove my worth. He asked some questions, and also asked me whether I had some place or relatives to stay at New York or not. I replied to the negative. Then he told me with total candor that according to him, my only option was to seek work in New York. He was certain that I would never receive the appreciation that I deserved at the State bar. I was meant for greatness, I was meant for New York.

When I walked out of his chamber, I felt grateful that at least this one person had the intelligence to understand my worth. It took at least 72 hours for the fact to slowly sink in, that in fact, he had not only kicked me out of his chamber, but had also told me to my face, he wished I had been kicked out of the state. Only he did not say it explicitly.

That is greatness, and that is a great lawyer. Even when he would convey the most negative things, he would do it in a positive manner eliciting appreciation and resonating with the listener. That is what I learned on that evening. That evening, I learned how to refuse offers, proposals, and other things in the proper manner. I learned how to say no. And it saved me throughout my career. I used that lesson in almost every opportunity, not only to say no, but also in almost every situation – to say things in a manner where what I wanted to say was conveyed without any ill effect. That is what I learned the first time I was refused work as an associate. And it is a very important skill in the arsenal of a lawyer.

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

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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