Latest news: Lawyers want work-life balance

The next generation of City lawyers are looking for both career advancement and work-life balance according to a survey by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. 30/01/2012

The Next-Generation Lawyers survey asked 114 students and recent graduates who are seriously considering or embarking on a career in the law for their views on the legal profession.

Quality and range of work was ranked as most important (68%), next was career progression (67%), closely followed by firm culture which 66% of respondents ranked as important for prospective lawyers when choosing where to work. However 43% ranked work-life balance as a critically important consideration, putting it ahead of a competitive salary and bonus (30%).

‘The next generation of lawyers have a more holistic view of what they want from a career. Salary progression, career advancement and job stability are very important, but they don’t want these at the expense of their personal lives. They want the full package,’ says Simon Johnson, Freshfields’ trainee recruitment partner.

According to the findings 60% think a fair starting salary for a trainee is £33,000 or more. While 26% believe trainees should be paid £40,000 to £60,000. Currently the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)  sets the minimum salary for trainee solicitors working in London at £18,590. For trainees working elsewhere in England and Wales, it is £16,650. Just under 62% also said that they expected to be a senior associate on the partnership track ten years after graduation.

‘Law firms have a lot to live up to for the modern graduate. Given the big financial commitment, students are being particularly careful to choose a career which will fulfil their desire for personal growth. They expect return on investment in terms of training and development,’ says Simon.

The survey also asked about future working practices such as hours, whether the profession was diverse enough and how concerned prospective lawyers are about the rise in tuition fees