Summary: Skill is not the only factor that determine success or failure. Other things that must be considered are class-based and socio-economic barriers.
Read the full article titled Five Class-Based Rules That Determine Attorney Success or Failure to learn more.
Whether we like to admit it or not there are big differences between the normal cultures throughout the United States. Depending on where you live will greatly affect your future. There are very few students that grew up on farms in law school and vice versa, there are very few students that grow up in Malibu electing to attend an agricultural university in Minnesota. Harrison Barnes explains what makes an attorney successful when it comes down to the socio-economic and class related factors.
The expectations we set for ourselves will affect our success. When we set high expectations for not only ourselves as attorneys but our clients as well, we can achieve success. When you believe that you are capable of attaining great things, you will find that it is possible. An attorney that does not think highly of themselves will be easily derailed but others that seek to bring them down.
A successful attorney will do the work required before asking for something in return. Before you are able to gain a client, promotion, raise, or win a case, a successful attorney will be networking, writing, working, and getting known. No one is every entitled to everything. You have to be able and willing to prove that you deserve what you are seeking. You have to always be the best if you want to be able to demand anything from anyone.
Who you associate with will affect how successful you are. If you surround yourself with friends and others that are successful, their position can help you advance. Big law firms attract clients that can pay more so when you work at a big law firm, you have better access to those clients that have more important work that needs to be done. Successful people are competitive and that competition pushes everyone to be better.
As Barnes points out “The POWER of the highest performing groups of people comes from EXCLUDING and not INCLUDING.” A successful attorney is selective in who they include. The inclusion of everyone does not lead to pushing ourselves to be the best because there is no competition or drive.
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