Bruce MacEwen of the blog Adam Smith, Esq. (http://www.bmacewen.com/blog/archives/2006/07/the_war_for_talent.html) has an analysis of what is driving the “war for talent” and why it’s worse now than ever before. MacEwen identified a decade-old survey that claimed the retirement of the baby boomers would mean less eligible employees. He also points out that the free flow of information on the Internet makes it more likely that an associate would jump ship as soon as he or she spies a better opportunity on the horizon.



Some say a lack of flexibility and dull law firm lifestyles are leading attorneys to leave their firms by the droves, but MacEwen isn’t so sure. Turning back to the old survey, he reveals that flexibility and lifestyle aren’t even in the top 10 on the list of contributing factors to low levels of job satisfaction. According to MacEwen, people leave their firms for reasons relating to:





* firm values and culture (58%)

* freedom and autonomy (56%)

* exciting challenges (51%)

* a well-managed firm (50%)

* career advancement and growth (39%)

* respect for lifestyle (14%)

* job security (8%)

* acceptable pace and stress (1%)



So law firm values and culture--not long, grueling hours or boring work--are apparently fueling the growing associate attrition rates.