Career advice to remember:  “You have a voice.” 

On this episode, I talk with Britney Harrison, a family practice lawyer in the Dallas area.  As an experienced lawyer, Britney has worked for large and small law firms in both Austin and Dallas.  After an early career in employment law and commercial litigation, Britney made the switch to family law and now helps clients navigate one of life’s most difficult times - divorce and child custody.  She’ll share with us her journey of leaving big law - and a big salary - to pursue her passion of working directly with clients, how she learned that “not all money is good money”, and how helping her dad achieve his dream of graduating from college is one of her proudest accomplishments.

 

I should note that Britney has been recognized for her successful legal work and has been named as a rising legal star in a number of publications including D Magazine. She’s currently president-elect of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and in order to get to the point where she graduated FIRST IN HER CLASS from the University of North Texas and then with honors from The University of Texas at Austin Law School (Go Horns!), she had to pass my 9th grade English class.  Yes, I’ve known Britney since she was a teenager and I’ve loved watching her growth over the years.

 

What we’re talking about:

• How she spends every day, “helping people find a new beginning… and move on with a new part of their lives,” as a divorce lawyer - and has a true passion for her work. 
• The work of divorce lawyers through the time of coronavirus and what to expect when working with one.
• Making the smart decision to work with a financial planner to create an action plan for being able to pay off student loans, support her dad’s dream of finishing college, and then be in a financially secure place where moving to a lower paying but higher passion job was possible. 
• Financial advice:  “I always recommend anyone looking at any type of career change or any kind of big life change to get a financial planner.  Because that’s what they’re an expert in. You are an expert in your field but you may not be an expert in finances, so find someone that is.”  
• The salary and money side of the law industry. 
• Negotiating a new job salary:  “The worst they’re going to do is tell you no.”
• Importance of networking:  “I networked… Every job I’ve ever had since my very first job is because I knew someone at the firm.”
• Best advice she’s received from her mentor:  “You have a voice.” Britney takes this mantra with her to the courtroom as well as into her volunteer world supporting other young lawyers through her service as President-elect of the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

 

Connect with Britney:

• Her firm Goranson Bain Ausley
• Her facebook page
• Texas Young Lawyers Association 

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