What are some of these key concerns for associates when debating the merits of a career move? Some perceived points of value from a candidate's perspective are:
- Mentorship programs
- Positive social/cultural environment
- Value of personal time/life outside the office
- Peer interaction
- Overall collegiality of the office, not just within a practice group
Why does this happen? What can a smaller firm offer that larger firms cannot? Often, many of the top boutique firms in the market are specialty firms formed by top partners and rainmakers from the full-service large firms. As a result, these new boutiques have top-tier lawyers with top institutional clients, enabling them to provide a high-quality practice opportunity, including extensive interaction with partners, for young associates.
We must bear in mind that younger associates, while highly successful individuals, are just beginning to map their professional career paths. This said, being "thrown to the wolves," with no structured guidance and no perceived avenue for gaining guidance, is disheartening. Lack of mentorship is a prime motivator for associates seeking the career-nurturing environments of boutique shops.
What then are larger firms doing to attract and retain top talent? They are taking proactive measures, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Mentorship programs
- Open-door policies
- Diversity initiatives
- Encouraging senior-partner interaction with lower-level associates
- Encouraging pro bono work and community involvement, as well as the importance of activities outside the office; in other words, encouraging lawyers to be well-rounded individuals
- Recognizing and encouraging the importance of family, with many firms offering flextime and some firms even providing on-site daycare for attorneys with children
In today's legal environment, being a successful attorney is not necessarily defined only by for whom one works, practice area, or how much money one makes, but by the relationships with partners and peers and time spent with family and friends. Now more than ever, associates are taking advantage of the vast opportunities available in the legal marketplace. They realize they have choices that can meet most, if not all, of their professional needs, including compensation, mentorship, guidance, family, and more—which can lead to the most successful legal career.
Mr. Hopper is the managing partner of Lucas Group Legal in Atlanta, GA.
