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Identifying and Handling BAS (“Battered Associate Syndrome”) During Your Job Transition [by Dan Binstock] Practicing law as an associate in a law firm is typically highly stressful. But when the stress gets you to the point where it becomes all-consuming, you may be a victim of what I refer to as BAS, a tongue-in-cheek acronym for “Battered Associate Syndrome.” Read on to find out about this increasingly common syndrome, and how to keep it in check while you make a job change.
So you’ve had many less-than-stellar experi-
attorneys suffering from it, perhaps it is more
and physically-but you believe that you are
ences as an associate at your law firm. You’ve
apt to say “not yet”). But having worked with
locked into it, or that it is the best or only
spent countless all-nighters on a two-month
attorneys that have had to deal with highly
job you can get. And maybe, if you are like
document review in the basement of a chemi-
stressful law firm experiences, I can say that
most attorneys and have read about all the
cal plant located 300 miles outside of Boise,
the residual effects of these situations are
unemployed lawyers, you believe you were
Idaho. You’ve woken up in the middle of the
very real and can severely undermine one’s
“lucky” to land your job and should be grateful
night with cold sweats, realizing you forgot to
legal career.
that you have not been laid off. The danger with the above type of thinking (and why it
put a comma in a brief filed the previous day. You’ve gotten yelled at the next day for forget-
Before discussing BAS any further, it is im-
is a symptom of BAS) is that you are intel-
ting to put that comma in the brief. You’ve
portant to acknowledge the obvious fact that
lectually aware of your unhealthy situation,
debated whether taking a weekend stroll in
essentially all legal jobs carry an inherent
but continue to justify staying in this harmful
the park with your loved one justified passing
level of stress. Practicing law is, by its very
environment for any number of reasons.
up three billable hours. At times you’ve felt as
nature, challenging, difficult, complex, and not
if your entire self-worth as a person hinged on
for the faint of heart. An important distinction,
If you have made an affirmative decision to
whether a partner was pleased with your work
however, should be made. Feeling stressed
find a new job or have been asked to leave
(i.e.: nice comments from a partner = you’re
out and working hard are normal and par for
your current job with a set period for finding
on top of the world; negative comments from
the course. On the other hand, experiencing
a new job (recently-laid-off BAS), or have
a partner = you’re molded whitefish). You’ve
a loss of self-esteem, burn-out, and loss of
already left your job (post-BAS), you will likely
questioned whether the admissions counselor
control over your life is not par for the course
experience a temporary euphoria because a
at your law school must have been intoxicated
and can be indicative of BAS.
huge burden is lifted when one realizes that the BAS-causing situation has or will shortly
when deciding to admit you. You were blindsided by an unexpected layoff that was alleg-
There are three types of BAS: (1) current-job
end. It is absolutely crucial, however, to real-
edly based on poor performance, although you
BAS, (2) recently-laid-off-but-still-working
ize that the BAS symptoms and the residual
question whether that was the entire reason.
BAS, and (3) post-job BAS. If you are still with
effects can still linger and hinder your future
your current job, you may be thinking, “Yeah,
legal opportunities.
If you can relate to any of these, take note: you
Dan - I can relate to some of the examples you
could be suffering from the effects of “BAS.”
mentioned above and think maybe this whole
This article describes BAS, and then explains
BAS thing makes some sense in theory, but
how it can adversely affect you and your legal
isn’t this just a part of putting in my time and
The most common symptom of BAS is a loss
career. It then shows how using a professional
becoming partner? I mean, it’s just like this,
of self-esteem, with anger following closely
legal recruiter can help you avoid the common
or worse, at other firms as well. I chose to be
behind. The loss of self-esteem comes from
pitfalls that accompany BAS as you wind down
an attorney, worked hard, got a great job mak-
any number of causes, such as a high amount
at your current job and seek a new one.
ing lots of money to pay off my loans, so this
of criticism with little or no praise, feeling that
is what I signed up for. If I leave, I’m a quitter
you do not deserve a better job or believing
and failure. If I can stick it out, I’ll be ok in the
that you could not get a better job. Experienc-
long run.”
ing a loss in self-esteem will directly under-
What is “BAS”?
How BAS Can Undermine Your Career
mine your ability to practice law to the best
“BAS” is a tongue-in-cheek acronym for “Battered Associate Syndrome.” Is this a formal
This type of response is a common symptom
of your ability. For starters, you lose faith in
diagnosis recognized by mental health profes-
of BAS because you are aware that your situ-
your instincts, doubt your judgment, and avoid
sionals? Of course not (or given the number of
ation is unhealthy-probably both emotionally
asking necessary questions due to your fear
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of being perceived as “not knowing something
of those candidates who may jeopardize it.
I should know.” These self-doubts will harm
about your prior job and fears about the possible new one are common and normal during
your best interests, and those of your firm
Making a Positive Personal and Professional
the job search process. The problem is that,
and clients. If you have decided to interview
Change
if left unchecked or unexpressed, these emo-
for a new job, having a feeling of low self-es-
tions will almost always slip out during inter-
teem and self-doubt will be glaringly obvious
As the above shows, you can see how BAS can
views and can severely hinder your chances
to a potential new employer and will send
directly harm your career on several fronts.
of getting your dream job. A good recruiter
the message that you are not confident with
But if you think you are suffering from some
should serve as a confidential sounding board
yourself or your legal abilities. Furthermore,
form of BAS, you are definitely not alone. And
with whom you feel comfortable venting your
you may be so downtrodden with your current
the fact that you are still reading this article
frustrations, fears, and apprehensions, as
situation that you may be willing to jump at
shows that you are likely the type of person
well as your desires, dreams, and profes-
the first job offer that comes along, even if it
willing to assess your current situation, and
sional and personal goals. Having a recruiter
does not serve your best short- or long-term
not just continue practicing law with your
listen to you and provide coaching throughout
career interests.
head in the sand. That says something positive
your job transition will undoubtedly give you
about your willingness to consider possible
an advantage in your job search. If you cannot
positive changes in your career and life.
work with a recruiter, I suggest contacting
Anger comes from the resentment you feel towards those persons or factors that you
a career counselor at your law school or an
believe have caused or contributed to your
If you are feelings symptoms of BAS but must
unhealthy work situation. You could feel anger
stay in your current job situation, you should
towards bosses that have unjustly criticized or
consider drawing on many available resources
As you probably know, so much of land-
humiliated you (often due to their own insecu-
for help. There are many highly qualified legal
ing your dream job is based on the personal
rities and feelings of inadequacy), unreason-
career counselors (try your law school career
impression you make. Thus, keeping all of
able billable hour requirements, not receiving
services office or independent legal career
the unavoidable emotional issues in check is
an appropriate or promised raise or bonus,
coaches), lawyer support services with your
imperative to helping make that good impres-
etc. Anger can impede your ability to stay calm
local bar association, personal life coaches,
sion. Having a trusting and open relationship
and collected during stressful work situations,
therapists, and doctors that can help you deal
with your recruiter (or another career advisor)
and can also cause you to unintentionally be
with and gain control over your situation.
is crucial for helping you handle the inescap-
hostile or resentful towards co-workers, and
You’re not the first lawyer dealing with BAS,
able “behind the scenes” emotional stuff that
even clients. If you have been recently asked
and you definitely won’t be the last.
can be just as influential, if not more, than
to leave and given a period of time to find a
your law school, your grades and your work
new job, remember that your current em-
But if you are open to considering making a
ployer wants to help you as much as possible,
positive job change or have already decided to
and you should hopefully still be able to find
do so, good for you. Although every situation is
some references from your current practice
different, and it sometimes may not be a good
group. However, if you are hostile and nega-
idea to change jobs at a given time, there are
tive towards those in your practice group, you
countless stories of lawyers that were initially
can jeopardize potential new job leads, net-
hesitant about considering career transitions
working opportunities and references. And on
but were thrilled to learn that the grass can
interviews for a next job, your anger towards
actually be greener on the other side. The
your existing or previous employer (no matter
same applies to attorneys that were laid-off
how much you try to conceal it), will likely rear
and had the blessing-in-disguise opportunity
it’s ugly head. Nothing-I repeat, NOTHING-will
to find their dream job.
turn off a potential new employer as much as a candidate that is carrying anger and
If you are able to be represented by a recruiter
negativity. Potential firms will assume that if
while you wind down at your current job and
you are speaking negatively about your prior
look for a new one, a professional recruiter
or existing firm, you will do the same to them.
will be very aware of any potential BAS symp-
Remember, a firm’s reputation and goodwill is
toms and help you identify and manage them
its most valuable asset, and firms steer clear
during the job transition process. Frustrations
PAGE
independent legal career coach.
experience.