Attrition to Retention: Enhancing Law Firm Culture with Inclusive Leadership

The legal industry can be prestigious and profitable, yet it is also known to be grueling and homogenous. There’s a culture of “earning your dues” and working strenuous hours. The road to partnership is long – often 10 or more years – and uncertain, as most firms lack clear career development paths. Given these challenges, it’s no wonder young professionals are fleeing their firms or the profession altogether.

Since 2021, associate turnover has been above 20% each year, with disproportionate numbers of associates of color departing. The American Bar Association notes that, of associates that leave their firm, 72% do so in the first 5 years. Of the main reasons cited, changes to a different type of job and unfavorable work quality standards were some of the most common.

The legal field needs a solution to its retention problem; inclusive leadership can help.