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Associates Most BigLaw associates think their firms aren't trying to keep them, new survey shows

By Amanda Robert

October 11, 2023, 9:32 am CDT

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Recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa asked BigLaw associates to rank potential factors that could keep them at their firms. While about 78% of respondents said money, about 69% said culture, and about 64% said the work. Image from Shutterstock.

One in four BigLaw associates plan to leave their law firms within the year, according to a new report released by recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa on Tuesday.

In surveying nearly 300 associates about their firm’s retention efforts earlier this year, the national legal recruiting firm also found that three out of five respondents think that their firms aren’t actively trying to keep them.

“It seems a lot of people are already thinking about making a move sometime in the future, despite a brief tenure,” according to Major, Lindsey & Africa’s report. “And while some attorneys have set career goals in mind that plays into these numbers, it is not all of them, leaving lots of room for retention opportunities.”

The Law.com has coverage of the survey and its results.

Major, Lindsey & Africa asked BigLaw associates to rank potential factors that could keep them at their firms. While about 78% of respondents said money, about 69% said culture, and about 64% said the work. Interestingly, only about 18% said formal mentorship would be important when deciding to stay or leave.

The report also shows that 90% of BigLaw associates would be more likely to stay at their current firms if they thought that the firms were trying to retain them. According to Major, Lindsey & Africa, these associates said they want flexible and remote work policies, larger bonuses and thoughtful associate events and town halls, among other efforts by firms.

“Associates have spoken loud and clear,” according to the report. “The firms that start listening will likely see more associates stay and thrive in their firms. Those that do not should weigh whether staking their flag to certain issues is worth the loss in the end.”

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Updated on Oct. 12 to correct the headline.

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