How to keep associates happy?

Frank M. D'Amore had this interesting article last month in the Texas Lawyer on stemming associate attrition at law firms. Frank had some compelling recommendations for firms, like requesting direct regular feedback (not just yearly) from associates, more associate integration activities (like one-on-one attention from partners and well-thought out events), and also really rewarding associate successes.

Frank makes a special point to say that this new generation of lawyers value work/life balance more than its preceding generations. I agree with Frank. And I can tell you that any firm that makes strides in this area will make serious headway in its associate retention numbers.

Texas is undergoing another round of associate salary increases. Rumors abound about which firms will raise and which ones will not. I can't help but think about whether this latest round of increases will have an effect on associate satisfaction. Undoubtedly more money will equate to some level of happiness for some. But higher salaries do not materialize from the air. There is a price. We can debate and debate where the money will come from (lower PPP? higher rates for clients? partners billing for associate-level work?), but there will be some trickle down effect for associates at some level and to some degree, associates will be working harder for their dough.

Wouldn't it be nice if some of the Texas-based firms didn't jump on board with the salary increase and instead reduced their billable hour requirements? Wishful thinking or recruiting brilliance? Unrealistic naivete? As Brian Wilson sang, "wouldn't it beeeee nice?"

Finnegan Raises

More salary increases.

K&LNG Gets Serious About Part-Time

Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham has announced a new "balanced hours" program to promote the use of alternative work arrangements at the firm. It's obviously too early to tell how it will work. But the firm has actually appointed someone to help lawyers come up with proprosals for reduced hours. Sounds promising.

Edward Angell Palmer & Dodge

Another big merger is underway in the Boston legal community. Is the mid-sized firm showing further signs of weakening?

From Law.Com: "Edwards & Angell is joining forces with Palmer & Dodge, another New England law firm known for strengths in intellectual property and finance. The two firms set a Nov. 1 target date to complete their proposed deal. The newly combined firm, which will be called Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, will have 520 attorneys and nine offices in the United States, with 55 percent of its lawyers operating out of Boston."

Even if there will now be two fewer firms in this middle space, it seems that rumors of the death of the mid-sized firm are quite exagerated. In Boston alone, several firms with 100+ lawyers are still having very profitable years. The AmLaw 200 still lists several firms that operate principally in New England.

Another Branch Office in Boston

Preti Flaherty Beliveau Pachios & Halley has come to Boston. This is the second time in a year that a Maine law firm has opened in the Boston market. Their business strategy sounds similar to that of a number of other mid-sized firms (mainly NH firms) who have come into Boston. The plan is to offer clients lower billing rates for work done in other offices.