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 the 11th day of February, 1997.

          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 Accounting
James D. Miller                        Officer

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

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

/s/ Stephen A. Gregg                   Director
Stephen A. Gregg

/s/ Anthony Meeker                     Director
Anthony Meeker

/s/ Stanley G. Renecker                Director
Stanley G. Renecker, Jr.