Have lawyers lost competitive edge?

When you think of words to describe a law firm's culture, what comes to mind? Formal? Competitive? Not so, say attorneys. When surveyed by Robert Half Legal, Menlo Park, Calif., a staffing service specializing in attorneys, paralegals, and other skilled legal professionals, about their work environments, the top adjectives used were "team oriented" (76%), "family friendly" (36%), and "casual" (30%).

"Managing cases has always required collaboration among lawyers because of the scope and complexity of the work. One difference today is that a broader range of legal professionals are actively involved," notes Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half. "Paralegals, for instance, are handling more billable tasks and assuming responsibilities previously held by attorneys, such as conducting preliminary research and preparing legal documents."

Volkert adds, "Greater work-life balance is a priority for employees in all professions, and many law firms are responding by reassessing their corporate cultures and providing family-friendly benefits and a more relaxed atmosphere at the office."

COPYRIGHT 2005 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group