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Cracking junior lawyers’ expectations
The bulk of junior lawyers still cite making partnership as the primary goal, however are prepared to leave their firms in two years or less.
Emma Musgrave
According to a new report, Minding the Gap: Do Today’s Associates Defy Generational Stereotypes, published by Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA Global), out of the 1,200 plus respondents, 33.93 per cent state that making partnership is their ultimate goal.
When asked what they saw themselves doing in 10 years, 33.93 per cent of respondents stated they expect to be a partner at their current firm, while 9.71 per cent said they expect to be a partner at another firm.
Almost 20 per cent said they expect to be involved in in-house counsel in 10 years, 16 per cent said working for government or a non-profit organisation, 6.25 per cent said running their own firm or practice and 8.82 per cent said not practising law.
Not one respondent selected the option of being involved in legal academia in 10 years.
The report also revealed variables as to what would make them accept a potential employer’s job offer.
The majority of respondents cited firm culture as the most important variable, followed by work/life balance, then career prospects, compensation, practice strength, location, prestige and training on offer – in that order.
The report also heard from junior lawyers who have received salary raises, asking them whether or not their workloads have increased as a result.
Surprisingly, 33.26 per cent said they feel their firm does not require more from them after their salary raises, while 20.97 per cent cited, “Yes, somewhat”.
Of those who feel their workloads have increased, 57 per cent said they feel the increase is warranted by the raise.
“Firms don’t raise hours because of compensation, and they don’t raise compensation because of hours. They always extract as many hours and pay as little as the market will bear,” said one respondent.
“I’m personally not working harder, but I’m less likely to leave,” said another.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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