My December American Lawyer arrived today. As I always do, I turned to Aric Press' column. Aric is the Editor-in-Chief of American Lawyer. If there is anyone more attuned to the state of the profession, I would be surprised. Aric's column is about the results the survey of the Am Law 200. One of the questions asked this year was about the number of firms that lamented their loss of associates. Aric writes:
The days when associates would hang around confident that they would snare a partnership are long gone -- and are not coming back. Now may who linger stay only until their student loans are under control, and then they map a quick exit. Firms complain bitterly that these young lawyers are leaving before the firms can fully recoup their investments in them. They have no one to blame but themselves. The profitability model is built on churn, and even the cream resent getting battered into butter.
Great prose (a hallmark of Aric's column) but very insightful as well (another hallmark). Large firms losing associates need to look in a mirror. Otherwise, its like the rancher opening the barn door and then complaining that the horses are running out the door.
But my mission here is not to tell large firms how to run themselves--its to talk about client service. There is no mistaking the significant role associates play on most matters. Clients need to ask themselves whether they want to create teams where integral players are looking for the exit. At what cost to the client is the associate's departure?
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