How To Recruit & Retain Top Performing Attorneys

Practice owners know the value associated with recruiting and retaining really great attorneys. As these attorneys grow and succeed, so does your firm. But how do we do it – What reels in the great attorney, and what keeps them around?

Employer Solutions Plus offers the following tips for recruiting and retaining top performing attorneys:

Tips for Recruiting:

Utilize LinkedIn: LinkedIn is among the most useful social media tools for recruiting online. You have direct access to people’s resumes, recommendations and track records. LinkedIn also promotes convenient and affordable recruiting.
Ask for recommendations, not referrals: Referrals are often candidates passed along through word of mouth or mutual contacts. Recommendations are personal relationships that people trust and respect and are willing to put their own reputation on the line for!
Have a UEP (Unique Employment Position): What differentiates your firm from others in the area? Have a list and be sure to let top candidates know.
Hire for the Future: Everyone’s goal is growth and success, isn’t it? That is why you should hire for today, but also for tomorrow. You want a candidate that can grow with your firm, not just someone who meets today’s needs because it makes the most economic sense. Top performing talent will benefit the firm as a whole over time and is worth the investment.

Tips for Retaining:

Benefit Rich Plans: It’s not always about money; sometimes it’s about the benefits you provide for both your attorneys and their families.
Include Your Attorneys In Decisions: Is the firm headed in a new direction? Are you considering expanding into a new branch of law? Involve your top performing attorneys. This demonstrates your need and respect of their opinion. Sometimes it’s that simple!
Be Flexible: Attorneys work a lot of hours and this can take its toll on everyone’s personal life and family life. Be flexible with your workplace hours. If there isn’t a large and pending trial this week, let your attorneys work one day from home, or attend a school function for their child. Kind and considerate gestures go a long way!
Compensation: Providing a competitive compensation package is an important part of retention. People want to be recognized financially for all of their hard work. They may be perfectly happy at your firm, but if Law Firm B down the street is offering to pay them more for exact same position, you may be at risk of losing talent!

We recognize that the abovementioned steps are a lot to take on for the busy practice owner, or even office manager, which is why Employer Solutions Plus specializes in HR solutions for law firms.