Form: S-3

Registration statement for specified transactions by certain issuers

January 17, 1995

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Published on January 17, 1995


EXHIBIT 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints William W. Sherertz and Michael D.
Mulholland, and each of them, such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such
person and in his name, place and stead, in any and all such person's
capacities with Barrett Business Services, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the
"Corporation"), to sign a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation, and any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to
be done.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this power of attorney has been executed by the
undersigned as of this 9th day of January, 1995.

Signature Title
--------- -----

/s/ William W. Sherertz President and Chief Executive
William W. Sherertz Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Michael D. Mulholland Vice President-Finance
Michael D. Mulholland (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ James D. Miller Controller (Principal
James D. Miller Accounting Officer)

/s/ Robert R. Ames Director
Robert R. Ames

/s/ Jeffrey L. Beaudoin Director
Jeffrey L. Beaudoin

/s/ Anthony Meeker Director
Anthony Meeker

/s/ Stanley G. Renecker Director
Stanley G. Renecker