Blog

We’re excited to share that the new WorkBetter for Lawyers platform is officially live! Over the past several months, we’ve been working to create a better experience for both the associates who use WorkBetter and the professional...

Conversations about self-care and boundaries have become especially prominent in the workplace over the past several years. In a world that feels increasingly chaotic and demanding, that’s not surprising. People are looking for ways to...

We often think of imposter syndrome as something that plagues junior professionals—the law student worried about cold calls, the first-year associate convinced they don’t belong. But it doesn’t vanish with seniority. In fact, for many, it...

While most law firms have their sights set on boosting efficiency and productivity through AI tools, it’s crucial not to overlook their impact on the talent pipeline. Firms must think beyond short‑term profit and efficiency gains and adopt...

AI isn’t coming for junior associate work—it’s already here. From due diligence and document review to drafting basic corporate agreements and managing signature packets, the tasks that once defined the early years of associate life are...

We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Volta and their innovative Tandem platform. Volta is a leader in our industry in supporting lawyers' life-long growth and professional development. In the firms I've worked at, I've seen...

AmLaw publishes its Midlevel Associates Survey each year, offering insight into how associates across the country feel about their firms. Shortly after, they follow up with a lighthearted postscript: Associates Say the Darndest Things ....

Inspired by the recent Professional Development Consortium conference in San Diego—particularly, discussions about effectively weaving on-demand resources into law firm professional development programs—we’re excited to share Gunderson's...

Most firms offer robust perks, benefits, and resources to their associates. Investments range from Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to concierge services, coaching, and professional development platforms like WorkBetter. But how many...

Review season is typically not anyone's favorite time of year. Senior attorneys must write tons of reviews, associates may be anxious about their performance, and the meetings can feel endless for those delivering the reviews. But if...

Gen Z, born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s, is rapidly becoming an integral part of the global workforce. Over the next handful of years, they will make up the majority of our associate ranks. Their unique upbringing in an era...

As you gear up for the arrival of your summer associates, you've likely got a full menu of ways your associates can get involved. Yet, one aspect of associate involvement often flies under the radar—and we think it deserves a moment in the...

Working in Big Law, time is often our most precious – and scarcest – resource. We juggle urgent demands, unforeseen crises, and long-term projects, all while needing to respond to various requests from colleagues and others at a moment's...

In law firm practice, sleep is often underrated, with sleep deprivation viewed as a badge of honor or a rite of passage. But sleep is foundational; it's a pivotal element in cognitive function, decision-making, attentiveness, and emotional...

The modern workplace is constantly changing, and one trend that can't be ignored is the rise of the "side hustle." For law firm management, this trend presents both challenges and opportunities. While many law firms understandably impose...

Recent years have witnessed a surge in law firm Professional Development. Not only have the offerings become more dynamic and comprehensive, but firms are also diversifying the mediums through which they deliver content – discrete...

In law firms, it’s easy to think that the best and only way to reward associate performance or boost morale is through money – bigger paychecks, bonuses, etc. And, honestly, it can be an easy lever to pull. However, the allure of a bigger...

During review season, law firm talent managers often need to craft difficult performance review messages for a handful of associates. Alongside partners, these managers invest a lot of time and effort into carefully vetting and formulating...

One of the most impactful moments of my career happened soon after I left law practice. I was barely 30 and had only practiced for three years when I transitioned to a position as the Director of International and Non-J.D. Programs at...

In law firms, we often tout the values of collaboration and teamwork. Even so, it's all too easy to allow silos – the very opposite of unity – to persist in law firm management. Recognizing and actively addressing these silos can unlock...

Panel discussions offer a useful platform to deliver advice and insights to your associates, whether during orientation, summer program, or other training sessions. But if you find yourself spending more time organizing your panelists...

Disclaimer: Use AI platforms at your own risk, and always follow your firm's guidance and rules – as well as your own common sense! These days, we all seem to have too much to do and not enough hours in the day. There's a reasonable debate...

In the ever-changing landscape of modern law firms, generational challenges have emerged as crucial issues. With differing values, expectations, work styles, and career goals among the four generations in the workplace, addressing these...

We’ve been hearing much talk about the potential for deferrals lately. The last time we saw mass deferrals was during the Great Recession. At that time, deferrals came on the heels of a slew of associate layoffs. This time, we haven’t seen...

Fostering a culture of learning goes beyond organizing training events and mentoring. It entails creating an atmosphere where learning is embedded into the fabric of the organization, promoted by leaders, and embraced as a shared value by...

As layoffs continue to be a “topic du jour,” I realized that our industry, which rarely conducts layoffs, could benefit from the experience of industries where layoffs occur more frequently. And I found a great source of insight close to...

Layoffs are often seen as a taboo topic in the legal industry. However, I think it’s time to destigmatize layoffs. Layoffs are a necessary tool for businesses to remain competitive and profitable in the face of economic challenges, and the...

It's kind of an open secret among law firm managers that lateral associates typically have a lower success rate than so-called "homegrown" associates. Moving firms is challenging, and there are many reasons for this. Firms can vary...

Recently, we’ve heard a lot about associate performance suffering due to a lack of training during the pandemic. Unfortunately, so far, it’s been primarily anecdotal. According to a recent law.com article, “[m]uch of the conversation...

Recently, I've had a lot of conversations about failure, mistakes, setbacks, and challenges... and how to recover from any or all of these. And one thing I keep coming back to in my ruminations is this: too often, we conflate "mistakes"...

In a year of relative economic uncertainty, it's only prudent for firms to "tighten their belts" and cut costs where possible. Reports suggest that most firms are doing this, at least to some extent. If you're on your firm's talent...

For the past couple of years, associate issues have primarily focused on retention, burnout, and morale as firms responded to the pandemic and then scrambled to keep up with crushing workloads. But now, an anticipated market contraction is...

Unless you've been living under a rock the past couple of months, you know that STEALTH LAYOFFS ARE UPON US. At least, that's what the headlines would lead you to believe. But the story is more complicated than a headline, and if you dig a...

In recent months, lots of articles have suggested that stealth layoffs are looming around the corner. "Stealth layoffs" are when a firm uses performance-based dismissals to mask a headcount reduction. But I suggest we resist the urge to...

Around this time of year, law firm talent management teams are gearing up for the arrival of a new batch of first-year associates. As they arrive, we want them to feel welcomed and excited. And, importantly, they need a LOT of practical...

As summer associate programs kick off, lots of junior associates are getting their first real taste of delegating, mentoring, and supervising someone beneath them. But many associates take on these responsibilities without much instruction...

Whenever a new generation enters the workforce, there is bound to be discomfort. The things that worked for our associates before suddenly don't quite resonate. We question whether new associate "asks" are reasonable as we compare them to...