Search using our robust engine. Get the recommendations you need to get ahead.
Browse through our expansive list of legal practice areas.
Work where you are or where you’d like to be. Find where you’ll work with LawCrossing.
Use our marketplace to feature your opportunity
Start your search today
Set up your account and manage your company profile
Learn about the company before you apply
Look through and compare company profiles
Discovery salaries and scope your next job
Learn from legal expert, Harrison Barnes
Don’t just take it from us
By Maria Laus, Author - LawCrossing
Associates' Views on Partnership Has Shifted. Today's associates are not necessarily as interested in making partner as they once were. For some, it seems more unattainable and less desirable than it has been for associates in the past. This is especially true coming out of a recession, when firms are typically electing fewer partners. As a result, there appears to be a definite shift in the goals of some of today's law firm associates. Increasingly, lawyers are now more focused on using their time at law firms to gain work experience and earn money, without having to commit long-term. Associates often leave law firms before they can even be considered for partner, either by moving in house or out of the profession entirely. In fact, we've met some associates who go to law firms without any intention of staying there long enough to be a partner. Law firms do not always discourage such attitudes since economically they can't make everyone partner. There are many reasons why associates quit, including poor performance reviews, the pressure of billable-hour requirements and family obligations. Another very common reason why associates leave their firms is the lack of perceived opportunity for advancement. Especially in extremely large law firms, associates believe making partner is out of their grasp. And, for many, it is true. The bar is certainly higher to become an equity partner. The saying, "you work hard and pay your dues and you'll make partner" no longer always applies. Partnership is not just about a well-developed skill set or technical expertise in a practice area, but also the associate's potential to be a savvy business developer. Road to Partnerships Is Getting Longer The fast track at top law firms is slowing down. Major law firms are sometimes prolonging the period leading up to partnership because of the desire for more experienced associates, an active market for lateral partners and greater pressure to improve profitability. At firms where an associate's first shot at partnership once came around 7 years after law school graduation, it can now come around 10 years after, or longer. Partners want associates to have more experience. However, at the same time, clients are demanding leaner staffing on matters thereby resulting in fewer opportunities for associates to gain experience. And in a down economy, there are less deals where associates can build their skills. Also, lateral hiring of partners with business results in a large pool of homegrown senior associates who have to wait for partnership consideration. Further, there is another pool of lateral senior associate hires who usually have to face a prolonged wait for partnership as well, especially since firms often take their time to reach a high comfort level with associates who were trained elsewhere. Finally, because low partnership numbers drive up profits per partner, firms may be wary of making a large number of even well-qualified associates partners. What Is Left For Those Who Do Not Make Equity Partner Inevitably, there remains a plethora of senior level associates who start to feel alienated and, unless the firm gives them effective feedback on the prospects of partnership, will most likely opt to quit the firm. One method firms have been using to deal with this situation has been the institution of non-equity partnership tiers. In fact, over the years, many changes have occurred in the traditional partner-associate structure. Permanent associates, temporary attorneys, staff or contract lawyers, of counsel and non-equity partners (NEPs) have all been added to the mix. Non-equity partnerships have long been utilized by large law firms, but the use of this alternative is on the rise. In fact, most large law firms have created some form of NEPs. Even smaller firms are following the trend. The popularity of this structure continues to grow to the extent that the number of non-equity partners in many firms is increasing more rapidly than the number of equity partners. NEPs - Reasons For The Rise. There are at least five reasons more firms are creating an NEP tier: