Law firm associates as human resources?
The Chicago Tribune notes that some law firms are giving HR a second look. Kirkland & Ellis has even hired former Andersen partner Gary Beu in this role.
Still, it’s not an easy slot to fill. There’s the ongoing focus on diversity, and the tension involved in balancing the two realities of high starting pay and workload:
— Attrition is on the rise among young lawyers, known as associates, some of whom make as much as $145,000 their first year out of law school. A 2005 survey found that one out of five associates leave U.S. law firms every year, the highest rate ever documented by the Association for Legal Career Professionals.
— Associate dissatisfaction is nothing new. They always have complained about long hours, boring assignments and poor treatment by partners.
Hmm… High pay and long hours. Perhaps a connection?
Still, it’s encouraging to see law firms placing experienced executives in a role targeted at developing the key asset: people.