Fuzzier Pathways, Changing Priorities Dent Appeal of Partnership to Today’s Young Attorneys

Executive chair of Herrick and co-chair of the Real Estate Practice, Belinda G. Schwartz, was quoted in the New York Law Journal in an article discussing how the next generation of lawyers are prioritizing their career trajectory. 

According to the article, the data shows that, over the past seven years, fewer millennials hope to make partner, but between 2021 and 2023, the percentage of millennials that sought to make partner has actually increased. Belinda called these statistics “confusing.”

Belinda believes that the upward trend results from millennials growing older, moving them into different places in their careers. The statistics also show that fewer Gen Z associates want to make partner, although this could potentially be because they are younger and do not have as many personal responsibilities.

The article reported that studies show lawyer productivity has largely plateaued since 2021. Belinda noted that it can be "harder to account for your hours with remote work and less time in the office."

Read the full article in the New York Law Journal here. Access may require a subscription.