The Hewitt Analysis also says this is the biggest increase since 2005 and is driven by current economic factors, which aren’t going to improve tremendously in the short term.  In 2007 and 2008, the increases in costs hovered around 6%.  This certainly provides contrast, says the LawCrossing.com founder – and evidence that the economy isn’t as strong as some would have Americans believe. So what are the factors that are all coming together to define this perfect storm?  Consider these:

• Employers still are not hiring the way economists hoped they would
• HMOs are already expected more than 9% increases
• PPOs are expected to increase by about 8.5%
• The workforce is aging with many baby boomers still working

These are all important considerations, says A. Harrison Barnes.  The message continues to be that the economy is on its way up, but frankly, few, if any Americans have yet to see proof of that – and few have faith that it’s on the immediate horizon.  “Many are still struggling just to make their monthly payments on utilities, never mind maintaining their COBRA payments”, says one analyst.  “For many, they’re relying on a prayer far more often than they are the phone ringing with a job offer”.  With few promising reports coming out of Washington, this remains, for too many, a continued game of “wait and see”.

For now, more than 42 million Americans remain uninsured, including more than 10 million children under the age of 18. A. Harrison Barnes explains that 78% of Americans have been uninsured for more than twelve months, compared to only 29% in the mid-1990s.  Couple this with more Americans living at or below the poverty line and it becomes clear these new policies have fallen severely short.  Interestingly, more than 80% of the uninsured Americans today have, in the past, had long term health insurance.  This too speaks loud and clear about the current failures in policies.

Higher rates, fewer who are insured and a growing number of poverty-ridden families serves no purpose for anyone and will only lend to more dysfunction and crime throughout this nation until and unless real solutions are found.  That’s the challenge for the Obama Administration.

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One law student tells the story of how an overbearing office manager would organize his desk when he wasn’t there.  Since he was a law student, he only worked part time for a large legal firm.  The woman then deleted all of his law school applications that he kept stored on his computer at work since his boss also attended the same law school and had kindly volunteered his assistance.  The student hesitated going to the partners because he says he couldn’t prove it, even though everyone in the office knew this woman was capable of such mean behaviors.  A. Harrison Barnes, an attorney and founder of LegalAuthority.com, says the student did the right thing, even though it was a frustrating series of weeks for him.  “This was handled best by the student because the partners in the firm were already aware of the woman’s actions and even though they didn’t share that bit of information, the student kept on doing his job with the belief the woman would eventually get caught.”  She did get caught when she was seen hiding files for a multi-million dollar lawsuit the law firm was defending. Her goal was to accuse the law student of losing the files and hoped to get him fired.  Instead, she was the one who was promptly fired and the law student is now a partner in the firm, some ten years later.  Still, he remembers the woman as the “creepy middle aged woman who would tiptoe through the office in an attempt to catch any of her co-workers doing anything from stretching their lunch breaks to spending too much time in the bathroom”.

The LegalAuthority.com founder says there are times, however, when a supervisor’s actions do require a meeting with the head honcho.  If a boss is making suggestive comments, is discriminating against any of his employees or is refusing to hire any particular race or sex, these actions are absolutely illegal and require immediate action.  Even if you’re concerned about coming across as the office tattletale or concerned you’ll sound petty, consider this: the next victim might be quick to file a costly lawsuit and if you’re asked to testify and tell the court you knew of these actions, it could become a big nightmare for the company and potentially even jeopardize your own position.  “Your best bet”, says A. Harrison Barnes, “is to not keep this kind of information to yourself.  You have a responsibility to yourself, your co-workers and even your employer to speak up”.  If your employer chooses to ignore it, then you’ve at least covered your bases and if the behavior continues, you have your own case should you decide to pursue it.

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The campus itself is impressive and is home to several fully operational research institutes, which allows it to really hone in on important global issues.  According to the school’s mission statement, graduates leave with a sense of obligation and civil responsibility to their planet.  With more than fifty courses in various environmental law subjects and a faculty that includes some of the world’s most renowned environmental leaders and researchers, policy makers and attorneys, it’s a very intense, yet rewarding program for anyone considering this important area of the legal profession.  Further, A. Harrison Barnes says this sector will continue to grow and branch out into other areas, such as the medical field.

For those considering this sector of law as a career choice, this is the school to set your sights on.  More than 500 databases, websites and research resources, along with anything else any law student could need is found within the Vermont program and on-site.  Located in South Royalton, Vermont, the incredible beauty found in this region of the country provides the ideal background.

Most recently, the Colloquium on Environmental Scholarship was established by the school and offers environmental scholars to present any of their current projects in an effort to gather feedback.  Scheduled for later this year, the colloquium promises to bring together students and masters with the shared commitment of protecting the planet and her resources.  The LegalAuthority.com founder says it will cover two days, ensuring the efforts are all inclusive and serve their purposes.

Other opportunities made available to those who choose this facility include international and comparative law programs, which provide law students opportunities they might have never had otherwise.  The facility partners with other schools around the world to host externships and various research projects.  Some of these schools are located in England, France, Italy, China, Spain and many others.

While there are many schools across the country that offer environmental law programs, Vermont Law School is leading the way.   There are summer sessions available for those who need versatile class schedules, too.

Finally, because law firms place an especially strong emphasis on educational institutes, those graduating from Vermont Law School enter the job search with an advantage.

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BCGSearch places attorneys inside law firms – that is BCGSearch only purpose. BCGSearch does not do in-house attorney placements, does not place contract attorneys, and does not place legal secretaries or paralegals. It is very important for a company (no matter what they sell, promote or manufacturer) to be up front on what they can’t and can do for their client. BCGSearch is straight forward and 100% honest in what is offered.

BCGSearch is headquartered in Pasadena, California, with offices throughout the United States. BCGSearch is CareerMission’s smallest attorney-placement company. BCGSearch prides itself on being the biggest, smallest guys on the block – and for good reason.

With the market taking a downward spiral over the last several years, BCGSearch has remarkably had success in the legal placement market despite the downward turn. What does this mean? This means that BCGSearch recruiters still maintain a certain level of commitment and dedication even when the market says “You should fail.” If BCGSearch can succeed when the market is down, what will happen when the market bubbles back again?

Harrison Barnes, Founder and CEO, of BCGSearch.com has done something quite amazing with the biggest, smallest company. Harrison Barneshas taken a simple idea that was previously done, legal recruitment and placement, and turned the volume way up on it to level that can’t be ignored. People have ideas all the time. Those who can take that idea and improve upon it are those individuals who have even greater success perhaps.

How much emphasis to you put on costumer service? A lot, a little, or none? You won’t have to worry about costumer service because BCGSearch has outstanding recruiters who will be your right-hand men (and women) to find you a quality legal career in your desired location if possible. Every company wants your business, but do they deserve it? There are many companies who want your money but don’t do everything possible they can to ensure you are taken care of in the best way possible. BCGSearch knows how to take care of you and will do so as long as it is necessary until you find your new legal career.

Harrison Barnes has developed a little monster that keeps growing and growing (BCGSearch). BCGSearch may not want to be the biggest attorney placement and recruitment company in the United States but it’s the best. You shouldn’t have to settle for a legal job you dislike (and perhaps even hate) any longer.

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