Are You Learning, or Just Looking Smart at Law School?

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published November 26, 2012

By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search

It might sound surprising to you that in-depth research shows the highest percentage of successful law students being mastery-oriented in contrast to being performance-oriented. The reason as to why a student wants to learn, that is his/her achievement-goal motivation, directly affects the student's overall success. Though in law schools, academic grades are perceived as all-important, and they truly are so; nevertheless, research proves that those who end up with high academic grades are not those who run after achieving grades as a demonstration of performance, but those who run after “mastering” the law.

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What is the difference in student goal orientations when going for high academic grades?

Dr. Carol Dweck, a recognized expert in achievement-goal theory, summarizes thus:

Individuals may strive for high grades for quite different reasons. They may seek high grades in order to prove that they are intelligent or as an index of learning or mastery of the material. In this approach, these two aims--seeking to prove one's competence versus seeking to improve one's competence--represent two qualitatively different classes of goals (performance goals vs.learning goals, respectively) and, as such, would be expected to have different patterns of behavior-cognition-affect attending their pursuit. (Carol S. Dweck, The Study of Goals in Psychology, 3 PSYCHOL. SCI. 165, 165, 1992)

In a recent study, delving into the performance-based goals structure in law school curricula, besides probing other issues, Leah Christensen probed an issue of relevance to this article: What types of students succeed in a performance-oriented curriculum? And the study found that despite law school curricula being highly performance-based, “the most successful students were mastery-oriented learners. In contrast, there was no statistical correlation between performance-oriented learning and law school success.” That's an eye-opener.

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Who is performance-oriented and who is mastery-oriented?

In a nutshell, performance-oriented law students are those who “seem driven to learn almost exclusively because of grades and exam scores” (Christensen), while mastery-oriented students “appear more interested in developing their overall competence to practice law.” (Christensen) Mastery-oriented law students focus on “developing” abilities, rather than on “demonstrating” abilities.

According to Dweck, mastery-oriented learners focus on learning as something that is valuable and meaningful in itself. They perceive different learning tasks in curricula as ongoing processes and are more concerned with charting their own progress, rather than comparing their progress to that of others.

However, students with performance-oriented goals “want to look smart even if it means not learning [as much] in the process” (Marina Krakovsky, The Effort Effect, STAN. MAG., Mar.-Apr. 2007). For such students, “each task is a challenge to their self-image, and each setback becomes a personal threat” (Krakovsky).Thus, students who are motivated by performance goals “pursue only activities at which they're sure to shine – and avoid the sorts of experiences necessary to grow and flourish”(Krakovosky) across a broader range of endeavors.

So, now that you know the difference between performance-oriented motivation and mastery-oriented motivation in law students, and what works to achieve overall success and higher grades, we hope you would be able to succeed better at law school.

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References:

Leah M. Christensen, "Enhancing Law School Success: A Study of Goal Orientations, Academic Achievement and the Declining Self-Efficacy of Our Law Students," Law and Psychology Review 33, no. 0 (2009)

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

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