The Two Sides of Entitlement: An Open Letter to Associates

Two Sides of Entitlement: An Open Letter to Associates

We are hearing from a number of clients and colleagues that law firm associate relations seem to be developing a somewhat contentious back beat, if not an overtly adversarial twang.  Some firms report that the whole intergenerational Boomer/Gen X/Gen Y thing threatens to become something of a stare-down, with partners and associates demanding - passively or aggressively - deference and concessions from one another.

These tensions often are couched in terms of who must give up something: Must we partners give up our right to insist on traditional firm values defining commitment, loyalty, compliance and - ultimately - partnership? Must we associates give up our autonomy and work-life balance?  The underlying stakes are extremely important:  As we move into the future, who's in control here, anyway?  Who's driving and who's being driven?

Download the complete article to read more...