Because the skills taught by the Socratic Method cannot be learned from a casebook, class attendance is crucially important. In fact, research on law students indicates that a positive correlation exists between class attendance and grades. When you go to class, take your casebook, any assigned supplementary materials, such as a statute book, your case briefs, and your class notes. If you must miss a class, be sure to borrow one of your colleague's class notes. If your professor requires class attendance, get an excused absence before missing class, if possible.
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Class discussions can provide an important indicator of how well you are grasping the assigned materials. Other students' case descriptions and the related discussions will help you determine whether your assessments of the cases were accurate. The class discussion may go in a direction that you had not anticipated. This does not necessarily indicate that your assessment was incorrect but only that the professor chose to focus on a different aspect of the case. If you had not been in class, you would have missed that perspective, which could hinder your understanding of future class discussions and your exam performance.
Although you will learn a great deal by listening to others and by thinking about their questions and answers, you will learn other important skills by actively participating in class discussions. Even if you do not become a trial lawyer, you will have to speak in public when you are in practice. For example, you will have to speak before neighborhood groups, corporate boards, and governmental bodies, such as legislative committees and zoning boards. Those should not be your first public speaking experiences. Instead, use the time in law school to learn to control the butterflies in your stomach and to speak effectively. Virtually everyone feels nervous when speaking in public, including your professors. Learning to speak effectively is just a matter of practice.
Even if you already feel comfortable speaking in public, you should participate in class for a variety of other reasons. The class will be much more interesting and issues will be presented from a variety of perspectives if all class members contribute their observations and experiences. By speaking in class, you give your professors a better basis for evaluating your understanding of the materials. In the typical law school class, your professor will have only the final exam on which to base your grade. If you regularly have spoken in class, however, your professor will have a broader basis for evaluating your performance. In fact, some professors may increase your grade based on the quality of your class participation. Additionally, you will need references and letters of recommendation from your professors for job and scholarship applications. You are far more likely to get a strong letter if the professor knows something about you other than your final exam grade.
Speaking in class early in the semester is particularly important. The longer you wait to speak for the first time, the harder it will be. During the first week of class, you may decide to sit back and check out your professor and' colleagues. During the second week, you may not speak because you are waiting for a question that you would feel comfortable answering. By the third week, you may think that you have to wait for a question on which you are particularly strong because you want to make a good first impression. In the fourth week, if you have not yet spoken, you may feel pressure to make a very good impression the first time you speak. The burden you feel to perform well the first time you speak will become heavier with each week that passes. Break the ice early and get past that first time.
What if you answer incorrectly or say something that is strongly challenged? So what? Everyone makes mistakes, even your professors, and your challengers may be the ones who are wrong. Of course, everyone would prefer to make unimpeachable proclamations and to be honored for their wisdom, but that is not likely to happen in your first year of law school. In fact, if you are mistaken about something, it is better to find out about it and correct it now, rather than in practice or on your final exam.
On the other hand, do not talk unless you think that your comments will advance the class discussion. If your remarks would be tangential to the discussion or would raise a very minor point, wait to talk with your professor after class. Otherwise, you risk irritating your colleagues and professor, because class time is too valuable to waste and because everyone in class should have the opportunity to speak. Unless your professor has said otherwise, you should not speak until you have raised your hand and been recognized. This is the means by which the professor can direct the flow of the class discussion.
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Unfortunately, some people are socialized to be particularly reticent about speaking in class. They may believe that they have nothing to contribute to the class discussion or that they already have taken too much of the class' time when, in fact, they have spoken less than their colleagues. Research has shown that these feelings are particularly strong for members of groups who traditionally have been under-represented in law schools. The professor unintentionally may reinforce these feelings by treating class members differently from a misplaced concern about embarrassing someone who appears to be less assertive than other students.
Another common reason students avoid speaking in class is their belief that everyone else is smarter and more articulate. These students are sure that speaking in class will reveal their ignorance to their professors and colleagues. This common fear is understandable. After enjoying years of academic success, law students are thrown into a difficult new field and are beginners again. Professors who are experts in the law challenge their thinking and, to make matters worse, do so in the public forum of the classroom. But the fear is as wrong as it is common.
Do not let yourself fall into these traps. Lawyers are called "mouthpieces" for a reason. Clients hire you to represent their interests, including in public. In fact, the client may have hired you because the client is afraid to speak in public. Therefore, even if you do not want to speak in class and can slide by without doing it, resist the temptation. You are entitled to the same opportunities as every other student, and you have a responsibility to take advantage of those opportunities. It will get easier with practice. By the end of the term, you will have come a long way in overcoming your fear.
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published September 07, 2013
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
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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