Don’t Ignore The “Why”

One of the first questions I ask any potential candidate I might work with is “what is your current situation, and why are you looking to move?”

Frequently the answer is very straightforward, such as “my spouse got a job in a different city,” or “we want to be closer to family,” or “a couple of key partners recently left, and I am concerned that my practice area is no longer sustainable in my current office.”


Those are all great reasons to make a lateral move, and it is relatively easy from the recruiting side to both identify potential target firms for a lateral move, and to explain the candidate’s reasons for seeking a new position to potential employers.

Unfortunately, I also frequently encounter attorneys who are not happy in their current position, but cannot particularly articulate what they are looking for in a new position and, more importantly, how it is going to significantly improve their practice and line up with their career goals.  In fact, most of these attorneys do not have clear career goals, and this is the problem.

A good recruiter should be familiar with the market and able to help you meet your career goals, just as a good taxi driver should be familiar with the city and able to get you to your destination as quickly and as efficiently as possible.  But the analogy stops at the point where you can get into a cab, hand over a $20, and tell the cabbie “just drive.”  There is no such thing as “just drive” in the lateral recruiting market.

Very likely, the “just drive” approach towards your legal career is what got you lost in the first place.  You went to law school because the job market was bad, or a relative told you that you were “good at arguing.”  You went out on interviews and took the first available job that paid well, even though you didn’t know very much about litigation, or that doing transactional work was going to give you much more flexibility later on in your career.  And all of a sudden, you are a few years in, not enjoying your job, and without a very good sense of what else you’d like to be doing.

If you are looking to make a lateral move simply because you are unhappy, you really need to think through both why you are unhappy and whether or not a lateral move to another firm, or a new practice area, is going to change the calculus.

For instance, a lot of unhappy commercial litigators looking to make a move to or within Los Angeles convince themselves that they want to do “entertainment law.”  But if you have no transactional experience, no firm is going to hire you to work on production deals, content licensing, etc.  Your skills are in litigation, so if you get an interview and an offer, 100 times out of 100, it will be for an entertainment litigation position.  And then guess what?  You’re still doing litigation!  All the discovery, briefing, depositions, and everything you perhaps don’t like about your current position is going to still be the vast majority of your workload, you’ll just happen to have different clients.

Focusing on the “why” and what you want, in concrete terms, from a future position will save you a lot of time and effort down the road.  It will also give you a solid selling proposition for your candidacy, which really, really matters for the application and interview process.  You do not root for an aimless protagonist – you root for the hero with a goal.  Similarly, a law firm is not going to hire you simply because you have a good school on your resume – they will hire you because you are actively interested in achieving a goal that will mutually benefit both yourself and the firm, preferably for the very long-term.

You do not want to go through an entire job search, interview process, conflicts check, proving yourself all over again, learning an entirely new set of office politics and firm culture, etc., just to wind up doing the same thing(s) that made you unhappy to begin with.  If you can’t articulate very clearly what you are looking for in a new position, it is likely you are not ready to make a move.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.