Books & Resources
Practical tools designed for new lawyers and the firms committed to helping them grow.
Read JB’s book
Raising the Bar
The Mentor Guidebook for New Lawyers
Practical training and honest mentorship supports new lawyers and the firms that invest in them, grounded law practice and teaching.
What You Will Learn
Key Lessons from Raising the Bar
Beginning the Profession
The transition from law school to law practice can be challenging. Raising the Bar offers practical guidance on building a career, navigating the first years of practice, and developing the habits that support long-term professional achievement.
Navigating the Profession
Life in the legal profession brings challenges that extend beyond legal work itself. Raising the Bar addresses the realities of firm life, office dynamics, professional setbacks, and the importance of maintaining both perspective and motivation throughout a career.
Serving Clients Well
Strong client relationships are central to effective law practice. The book explores how lawyers define problems, offer thoughtful choices, build trust, and communicate clearly.
Mastering the Work
Law practice requires more than understanding the law. New lawyers must learn how to conduct research efficiently, manage cases responsibly, and approach their work with purpose and professional discipline.
Learn More
Preview a Chapter
Read chapter 10, Fixing Mistakes
A practical companion for lawyers entering the profession, offering clear guidance on the skills that shape a successful legal career.
Buy the Guidebook
Get your copy of Raising the Bar
The book you need to enhance success in your legal career. This unique guidebook takes you through the process of transition from law school into law practice.
Watch the Videos
Short lessons from Raising the Bar, offering practical insights and advice to help lawyers navigate the early years of legal practice
Lessons from Raising the Bar
Published Resources
Perspectives on Law Practice
A selection of JB’s most widely read insights on legal practice, mentorship, and professional growth.
Browse by topic, or visit his Substack for his latest work.
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Two Mentors Double Your Intel | Virginia Lawyer, March 2025
Why new lawyers benefit from both internal and external mentors—and how each shapes professional growth in different ways.
Read the Article »What the New Associate Wants to Tell the Senior Partner | Virginia Lawyer, April 2007
A candid look at how new lawyers think about technology, growth, and their place within modern law firms.
Read the Article »Jump Start Your Career | Virginia Lawyer, April 2006
A practical guide for new lawyers on how to approach assignments, build trust, and develop the habits that lead to long-term success.
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Mentoring is a Two-Way Street | Virginia Lawyer, 2025
An exploration of how mentorship benefits both mentor and mentee, and why it remains essential in a changing profession.
Read the Article »Two Mentors Double Your Intel | Virginia Lawyer, March 2025
Why new lawyers benefit from both internal and external mentors—and how each shapes professional growth in different ways.
Read the Article »The Mentor Challenge in Changing Times | Virginia Lawyer, October 2002
A look at how mentorship must evolve as economic pressures reshape how lawyers learn and practice.
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The Wise Lawyer Knows How and When to Cease and Desist | Virginia Lawyer, 2014
An exploration of professional limits, judgment, and knowing when stepping back is the right move.
Read the Article »Difficult Clients Sharpen Our Game | Virginia Lawyer, June/July 2013
A practical look at the types of difficult clients lawyers encounter—and how handling them well improves judgment and performance.
Read the Article »The Lawyer as Counselor | Virginia Lawyer, April 2010
An exploration of how experienced lawyers move beyond legal analysis to help clients understand problems, evaluate options, and make better decisions.
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Make Your Age an Asset | Virginia Lawyer, February 2017
An argument for the value of experience, and how senior lawyers can remain relevant and effective in a changing profession.
Read the Article »Retire or Refresh: One Lawyer’s Perspective | Virginia Lawyer, April 2009
A thoughtful look at how lawyers approach later stages of their careers and redefine what “retirement” means.
Read the Article »Meeting the Midcareer Challenge Head-On | Virginia Lawyer, April 2008
A perspective on navigating the pressures and decisions that define the middle years of a legal career.
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An Interview with JB Burtch | Virginia Lawyer, August 2015
A conversation on how the practice of law has evolved, including the role of technology and changing client expectations.
Read the Article »Still Practicing to Get It Right | Virginia Lawyer, April 2012
Just because we’ve been practicing for a long time doesn’t mean we get everything right. Being aware of our limitations is one of the traits of good lawyers at any age.
Read the Article »Stay Tuned | Virginia Lawyer, April 2011
A reflection on staying engaged, continuing to learn, and resisting the complacency that can come with experience.
Read the Article »A Passion for the Process | Virginia State Bar
A personal reflection on what sustains a long legal career and the enduring appeal of solving client problems.
Read the Article »
Featured Articles
Two Mentors Double Your Intel
Why new lawyers benefit from both internal and external mentors—and how each shapes professional growth in different ways.
Mentoring is a Two-Way Street
An exploration of how mentorship benefits both mentor and mentee, and why it remains essential in a changing profession.
The Lawyer as Counselor
An inside look of how experienced lawyers move beyond legal analysis to help clients understand problems, evaluate options, and make better decisions.
Contact JB
Whether you're just starting your legal career or looking to grow within it, JB offers guidance shaped by years of experience. Reach out to start the conversation.