July 9, 2010 4:36 PM

Who Wants to Make Partner? Not U.K. Associates

Posted by Irene Plagianos

Making partner is the pinnacle of a legal career at a law firm, the reason why most lawyers slave away for years. But these days, climbing up the ladder and reaching the very top isn't the main goal for most associates in the U.K., Legal Week reports.

According to Legal Week Intelligence's 2010 Employee Satisfaction Report, only 38 percent of the 3,800 associates surveyed consider making partner their ultimate career objective, compared to 45 percent in 2009 and 50 percent just two years ago. The numbers are even lower for female lawyers; only 29 percent say they're interested in becoming a partner.

These associates see partnership as less obtainable now, Legal Week reports, and so they're less likely to chase after the proverbial carrot. About 22 percent of the associates surveyed said they plan to leave private practice and head either to an in-house work job or onto a different career altogether.

"Partnership is a lot more difficult to achieve today than it was ten years ago," Shearman & Sterling London managing partner Anthony Ward told Legal Week. "The companies and banks that offer in-house careers provide a structure that is appealing to many."

Make a comment

Comments (0)
Save & Share: Facebook | Del.ic.ious | | Email |

Reprints & Permissions

The comments to this entry are closed.