What to Do If You’re Fired—or Think You Might Be—as an Attorney
I’m Harrison Barnes, the founder of BCG Attorney Search. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of attorneys—some at the peak of their careers, others navigating through some of the toughest moments they’ve ever faced. One of the hardest truths I’ve had to deliver (and watch unfold) is this: most attorneys, at some point, will either be fired or feel like the axe is coming down.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re fresh out of law school or a seasoned partner. Law is a high-pressure profession with little room for error and even less for vulnerability. People often assume attorneys are immune to career instability, but the truth is the legal field is volatile—and no one is safe.
The good news? How you handle this moment—whether you're already out or just sensing that uneasy shift—can determine the trajectory of the rest of your career. I’ve seen people crumble, but I’ve also seen them rebuild better, smarter, and stronger. This article is your guide through that process. We’ll cover:
- Why attorneys get fired (real examples included)
- How to spot the warning signs before it happens
- What to do if you’ve already been let go
- How to rebuild your career—and your confidence
- Mistakes to avoid and strategies that work
Let’s break it all down.
The Hard Truth: Getting Fired in Law Is More Common Than You Think
Here’s what most law students aren’t told: at some point, most attorneys will experience serious career turbulence. Whether it’s being quietly phased out, abruptly fired, or squeezed until you “choose” to leave, it happens more often than anyone admits. Law firms are businesses first and foremost. If the firm’s margins are thinning, or if you’ve stopped being useful—or worse, become a liability—there’s no safety net.
It doesn’t matter if you have an Ivy League education or years of excellent performance. When the tide turns, it turns fast. And the industry, unfortunately, offers very little compassion. It values resilience, adaptability, and perception over loyalty or potential.
But getting fired isn’t the end. It’s a pivotal moment that can define what comes next.
Why Attorneys Get Fired: Real Stories, Real Lessons
Here are real-life examples I’ve witnessed—attorneys who lost their jobs for reasons ranging from one-off mistakes to long-simmering misalignments. Each comes with a lesson you can learn from.
1. The Fatal Lie: Saying You Sent a Letter You Didn’t
Example:
Take the senior associate who was just weeks away from making partner—nine years deep at a top-tier firm, nearly at the finish line. One Monday morning, a partner asked, “Did you send that letter to the client over the weekend?” The associate said yes, thinking he could send it later and no one would notice. But the partner checked the system—nothing was there. By the end of the day, he was clearing out his office. No questions, no second chances.
Lesson: Never lie to buy time. Own the mistake. Once trust is broken, there's no getting it back.
2. Party Foul: Getting Drunk at a Firm Event
Example:
Imagine a holiday party with an open bar—everyone’s relaxed, the usual pressure off. One associate went too far. A few too many drinks, a few careless comments—maybe loud, maybe inappropriate. Nothing explosive, just enough to make the wrong impression. The fallout wasn’t immediate, but it was decisive: the work stopped coming. Partners quietly stopped calling on him, and soon he was out.
He had been competent, well-liked even—but one unprofessional night redefined him. In the legal world, reputation is fragile. Firm events might feel social, but they’re still the job.
Lesson: Don’t let your guard down at firm functions. Even one misstep can stain your reputation permanently.
3. Small Mistake, Big Consequence: Missing a Discovery Verification
Example:
An eighth-year associate, Harvard Law grad, solid track record—missed a basic procedural step. During discovery, she forgot to include a verification with the responses. The opposing party treated the responses as admissions. The firm had to scramble to recover, but the damage was done. Within weeks, she was gone.
It wasn’t about capability. It was about reliability. After eight years, the firm expected her to have mastered the basics. That one oversight shattered their confidence in her.
Lesson: Master the fundamentals. One small error can unravel everything you've worked for.
4. The Burnout Backlash: Missing a Meeting Due to Exhaustion
Example:
A first-year associate, burning the candle at both ends—three nights of minimal sleep trying to prove himself. Then came a major 8 a.m. client signing. He overslept. The team was left hanging, and he was dismissed that same day.
He thought relentless effort showed dedication. But firms don’t reward burnout—they need you dependable when it counts. He never said he was overwhelmed. He never asked for help. One missed obligation ended his job.
Lesson: Know your limits. Overworking to the point of failure isn’t noble—it’s risky. Speak up before you break down.
5. Bar Exam Blues: Taking a Leave Instead of Retaking
Example:
An associate failed the bar—not uncommon, not fatal. But instead of preparing to retake it, he asked for a leave of absence to “reflect.” The firm quietly replaced him. By the time he returned, his position was gone.
Failure wasn’t the issue—quitting the fight was. Law firms want fighters, not flighters. Resilience matters more than perfection.
Lesson: Face setbacks with resolve. Firms value determination more than detours.
6. TMI: Oversharing with a Partner
Example:
An associate got too comfortable with a partner—started casually sharing details about her personal life, including a recent weekend fling. She meant it as camaraderie; he saw it as a boundary crossed.
He didn’t reprimand her—just stopped assigning her work. Eventually, she was out. The relationship had turned awkward, and awkward doesn’t get cases.
Lesson: Keep professional boundaries. Overfamiliarity can quietly end your trajectory.
7. Wrong Culture Fit
Example:
She was thriving at a Silicon Valley firm—smart, efficient, solid reviews. Then one day, without warning: “You’re not a cultural fit. We’re letting you go.” No specific critique, just a vague mismatch. She was blindsided.
Firms don’t always spell it out when the chemistry’s off. Sometimes it’s personality, communication style, or just the way you carry yourself. But when they sense a misalignment, they act—often without explanation.
Lesson: Pay attention to firm culture. If you're not aligned, performance alone won’t protect you.
8. Dependency Trap: All Work from One Partner
Example:
An associate had built her entire practice around one partner—every billable hour, every matter, funneled through him. He was her mentor, her advocate, her source of work. But then he left the firm, taking his clients—and her workload—with him. Suddenly, she had nothing on her plate. She hadn’t invested in other relationships or diversified her internal network. Within weeks, she was let go.
The firm didn’t have anything against her. She just wasn’t useful anymore. When your survival depends on one person, you’re only as secure as their presence. She thought loyalty would shield her. It didn’t.
Lesson: Diversify your internal relationships. One partner should never be your only pipeline—because when they leave, you may be next.
9. Silent Penalty: Taking Full Paternity Leave
Example:
A male associate took two months of paternity leave—a benefit clearly supported by firm policy. But when he returned, things had changed. The partners weren’t overtly hostile, but the opportunities started to dry up. His name was left off deals. His role became peripheral. A year later, he was out.
He followed the rules, but not the unwritten ones. In high-intensity firms, time away—even when justified—can signal a lack of commitment. He assumed policy equaled protection. It didn’t.
Lesson: Understand your firm’s true culture—not just the one in the handbook. If time off is quietly penalized, make decisions with eyes wide open.
10. Legal Action Fallout
Example:
A decade ago, an attorney sued a firm after being fired. He moved on, built his career, and thought it was behind him. But during interviews for a promising new role, a background check uncovered the lawsuit. The firm withdrew its offer—no explanation given, just silence.
The case was legally valid, but firms saw him as a risk, a potential problem. It didn’t matter how long ago it was or how justified he had felt. The stigma stuck.
Lesson: Legal action against an employer can have long-term consequences. Even if you're right, think hard about the reputational cost before you file.
11. Forgetting a Mundane Task
Example:
A high-powered partner with an impressive book of business had an old skeleton in his closet—an undisclosed relationship with a paralegal, long past but against firm policy. When someone brought it to light, he was terminated immediately.
He believed his performance made him untouchable. It didn’t. The infraction was small, but it cut to the core of firm ethics and optics. No amount of revenue could outweigh the breach.
Lesson: No one is above the rules. Even minor missteps—especially those tied to ethics or firm policy—can undo years of success in an instant.
Inside the Law Firm Machine
Law firms are not shelters of fairness. They’re financial engines. Everything is driven by billables, politics, client relationships, and perception.
- Work = Security. If you’re not billing, you’re at risk. Period.
- Relationships = Leverage. If partners don’t trust or like you, you’re replaceable.
- Reputation = Currency. A damaged name is hard to recover.
- Vulnerability = Weakness. Even if your mental health is struggling, the firm expects performance without excuses.
Knowing this doesn’t mean you should become cold or cutthroat—it means you need to play the game strategically.
Signs You’re On Thin Ice
Here are red flags that your job may be in danger:
- Your workload slows down or vanishes
- You're excluded from key meetings or email threads
- Feedback becomes critical or disappears entirely
- You sense a tone shift—colleagues seem distant
- Your name isn’t mentioned for upcoming projects
- A partner you rely on leaves
- You hear the phrase: “You might want to start looking”
If you notice two or more of these happening at once, act fast. You may be weeks—or days—away from being let go.
Your Survival Strategy: What to Do Now
Whether you’ve already been fired or see it coming, here’s the plan to get back on track:
1. Don’t Panic, Stay Professional
How you exit will shape your reputation. Don’t lash out or gossip. Be respectful—even if you’re angry.
2. Do a Brutal Self-Assessment
What went wrong? Was it performance? Culture? A single incident? Identify the issue so you can fix or frame it.
3. Update Your Materials
Polish your resume. Craft a strong, honest narrative in your cover letters. Highlight your accomplishments without overselling.
4. Apply Broadly and Quickly
Don't wait. Start applying now. Mid-sized firms, boutiques, remote jobs, contract roles—every door should be open.
5. Network Quietly, Strategically
Let contacts know you’re looking, but keep it classy. No complaining. Just a forward-looking mindset.
6. Use Recruiters Wisely
Good legal recruiters can open doors—especially if you're still technically employed. Move quickly before you lose that edge.
7. Own the Interview
Don’t hide your exit story. Keep it brief: “It wasn’t the right fit,” or “The firm lost a major client.” Stay positive, focus on lessons learned.
8. Negotiate Your Exit Smartly
If you haven’t been fired yet, ask to stay on the website, retain your email temporarily, and push for a dignified offboarding.
9. Cut Costs and Build a Financial Runway
Assume the job search could take 3–6 months. Budget accordingly.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t sabotage yourself by:
- Waiting too long to job hunt
- Being too proud to accept smaller firms
- Blaming others in interviews
- Leaving the profession too quickly
- Broadcasting your situation online
- Getting defensive when people ask what happened
Rebuilding Your Reputation
Your career isn’t over—it’s just entering a new chapter. Here’s how to turn the page:
- Stay active. Even contract or document review work beats a blank resume.
- Rebrand your story. You’re not a fired attorney—you’re an experienced attorney ready for a better fit.
- Lean into your strengths. Highlight areas where you consistently deliver.
- Explore new practice areas or geographies. Be flexible.
- Keep learning. CLEs, certifications, niche practice skills—they all matter.
Success After Setbacks
I’ve seen attorneys bounce back in spectacular fashion. One moved cross-country, joined a new practice group, and ended up happier than ever. Another started her own firm and found financial independence she never imagined. A few even transitioned into in-house roles, academia, or policy work that fit them better.
Being fired isn’t failure—it’s a chance to pivot.
Final Thoughts
The legal profession is a long game. Getting fired may feel like a catastrophe—but it’s often just a course correction. What matters is how fast and smart you respond. Keep your head up. Stay alert. And never stop adapting.
Because your legal career doesn’t end with a firing. For many attorneys, that’s when it truly begins.
