Young lawyers are more concerned by the effects of Brexit than any other career worry.
The Lawyer’s Salary Survey, conducted this summer, asked lawyers an open question as to what their biggest career concerns were.
Among lawyers from newly qualified level up to 3PQE, Brexit came out top, with many saying they feared the spectre of redundancy as firms suffered. Simmons & Simmons has already made lay-offs in its real estate department.
Low or unfair pay – often mentioned in tandem with Brexit – was the second most common issue brought up.
“My biggest concern is Brexit and the excuse it gives partners to reduce salary increases when actually they just simply haven’t prepared well enough for it,” said one junior.
But, “Most would prefer to keep the old salaries if it would reduce the chances of lay-offs,” added another.
“Long hours” and “work-life balance” together make up the third most common worry, followed by general concern about a lack of development or career progression.
How to combine work with having a family and the prospect of taking maternity leave was cited by a significant minority of respondents; pertinent given The Lawyer’s recent revelations about the uptake of shared parental leave.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale one junior associate cited “zombies” as his chief work concern.
How much are you worth? Read The Lawyer’s Salary Survey
