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Lawyers in their 30s are least satisfied cohort in private practice

Recent research suggests that, broadly speaking, practitioners at firms are content with their employers’ performance on various metrics. A slightly deeper examination, however, suggests there are also warning signs for employers regarding their lawyers between the ages of 30 and 39.

user iconLawyers Weekly • 23 May 2024 • Big Law
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Recent research suggests that, broadly speaking, practitioners at firms are content with their employers’ performance on various metrics. A slightly deeper examination, however, suggests there are also warning signs for employers regarding their lawyers between the ages of 30 and 39.

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What is the Legal Firm of Choice Survey?

Now in its ninth iteration, the Legal Firm of Choice Survey identifies the most sought-after private legal practices across the country. It is conducted by market research agency Agile Market Intelligence for Lawyers Weekly.

 
 

This latest survey was conducted between 22 January and 14 February and received 401 responses in total, recording the attitudes, priorities, and perceptions of legal professionals in private practice across Australia.

Attributes findings (all respondents)

Included in the survey was respondents’ ratings of their law firms on various workplace attributes, including career progression, culture, pay and reward, and support for wellbeing.

Source: 2023–24 Legal Firm of Choice Survey (Agile Market Intelligence and Lawyers Weekly)

 Excellent

 Good

 Neutral

 Poor

 Terrible
Career progression

38

 37

 19

 5

 1
Communication

 40

 35

 16

 7

 2
Culture

 50

 30

 15

 4

 1
Diversity and Equality

 47

 31

 17

 4

 0
Pay and Reward

 29

 41

 19

 9

 1
Quality of leadership

 46

 33

 13

 5

 2
Recognition for individual performance

 43

 34

 16

 5

 1
Support for mental wellbeing

 46

 31

 16

 5

 1
Support for physical wellbeing

 43

 30

 20

 6

 1
Support for work/life balance

 49

 32

 12

 4

 1

Speaking about the findings, Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy said: “Prima facie, it appears that private practice lawyers are generally pleased with the performance of their employers when it comes to supporting vocational development and facilitating cultural, practical and personal needs.”

In an age of buzzwords and terms like the Great Resignation, he mused, the notion that law firms are, by and large, perceived favourably by staff members is encouraging.

However, Doraisamy continued, when broken down by age demographics, red flags show up regarding one specific age group.

Attributes findings (by age)

The table below lists the percentage of respondents, in particular age groups, who rated their employers as either “excellent” or “good” on the proposed workplace attributes:

Source: 2023–24 Legal Firm of Choice Survey (Agile Market Intelligence and Lawyers Weekly)

18-29 years

 30-39 years

 40-49 years

 50-59 years

 60 or above
Career progression

 83

 69

 79

 76

 73
Communication

 72

 66

 82

 86

 87
Culture

 86

 71

 82

 89

 84
Diversity and Equality

 86

 72

 80

 86

 87
Pay and Reward

 66

 63

 79

 76

 84
Quality of leadership

 83

 70

 84

 86

 84
Recognition for individual performance

 71

 72

 81

 90

 84
Support for mental wellbeing

 80

 66

 83

 84

 91
Support for physical wellbeing

 71

 64

 79

 84

 89
Support for work/life balance

 75

 74

 89

 86

 100

When broken down by age, a few key findings stand out:

  • On every attribute except one, lawyers in their 30s are less satisfied with their employers and, in some instances, by significant margins.
  • One in three 30-something lawyers are either neutral or negative on their employers’ communication channels.
  • Three in 10 lawyers in their 30s are either neutral or negative on their employers’ culture and efforts on DEI.
  • Less than two-thirds of 30-something lawyers rate their employers as either “excellent” or “good” regarding pay and reward.
  • One-third of lawyers in their 30s are either neutral or negative regarding their employers’ level of support for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Comments

Doraisamy suggested that the findings regarding lawyers in their 30s should be taken seriously by law firms across the board.

“30-something lawyers are at a vocational inflection point – many are getting married and starting families, and thus considering their next professional moves in accordance with what will be best for them personally. Many will also be on the cusp of partnership, or already having made partner, and/or considering a move in-house for the oft-cited improvements in work/life balance,” he said.

“Employers in private practice would be wise to pay attention to this demographic, particularly with a new financial year – and salary review season – fast approaching.

“Ahead of the 2024–25 financial year, it will be critical for firms to engage in open, honest conversations about remuneration – particularly if the looming revised stage-three tax cuts are going to be used as a reason to offer lower pay rises.

“That is, potentially, a lot of scope for movement to competitor firms that may offer a better environmental fit for a lawyers’ idiosyncratic needs.”

Looking ahead of FY25, Doraisamy concluded, firms must avoid complacency and get on the same page as their lawyers aged between 30 and 39, lest they lose top and emerging talent to competitors looking to bolster their ranks in key practice areas.

Since late February, Lawyers Weekly has been publishing insights from the 2023–24 iteration of the Legal Firm of Choice Survey. To read those stories, click below:

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