Survey finds almost half of all legal professionals are seeking new roles  

According to a recent survey, half of all legal professionals believe the pandemic has detrimentally impacted their career, with many looking for new roles.

The research, conducted by south London and Kent law firm Thackray Williams and legal recruiters LR Legal, surveyed 153 legal professionals. It found 43 per cent of those working in law firms were currently seeking a new role, with a further 22 per cent considering a move.

Leilani Reader of LR Legal said: “The legal recruitment market, particularly amongst solicitors and legal secretaries, has always been highly candidate driven and that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Law firms are having to work extra hard to attract talent.

70 per cent of respondents reported ‘more money and better benefits’ as being the main motivator. However, 69 per cent desired a better work/life balance and just under half (48 per cent) were looking for promotion and progression opportunities.  

Reader commented: “Financial remuneration always ranks highly for candidates, but flexible working is no longer a nice to have – it is essential. Most legal professionals will not even consider a law firm if they don’t offer flexibility or aren’t actively investing in their culture.”

Respondents were asked about firms’ biggest failings during the pandemic and ‘poor communication’ topped the list, with 42 per cent complaining about this.

Thackray Williams managing partner, Sean Sanders, said: “We’ve spent the last 18 months working hard to communicate with our colleagues and listen to their concerns. During a time of great uncertainty and high anxiety, one of our biggest drivers was to ensure that our staff didn’t find themselves in an information vacuum.

“In an era where law firm culture is just as important as pay, the results of this survey present a timely reminder for firms to keep communication and employee wellbeing at the top of their agenda.”

Lack of opportunities for promotion was the next biggest issue legal professionals had (40 per cent), followed by poor technology (35 per cent) and lack of support with regards to mental health and wellbeing (34 per cent).

Despite this, over three-quarters (76 per cent) said they were ‘well treated’ by their employers during the pandemic, with a third saying they felt more positive about their employer than they did before the pandemic.

When asked about a return to the office, 54 per cent said they did not feel rushed or under pressure to return; however, just over a third (37 per cent) did.