Strategies for Associate Retention in Times of Attrition

Released in 1998, Keeping the Keepers was the inaugural research study undertaken by The NALP Foundation for Research and Education. Conceived as a national retrospective examination of associate retention patterns, the primary objectives of the study were to document the scope of attrition among associates and to provide direction for the profession in considering appropriate responses to associate departures.

Phase I of the study, based on quantitative data on the retention status of more than 10,000 new associates in 154 law firms, revealed that 43% of new associates departed their firms within three years of being hired. The attrition rates of women and attorneys of color were significantly higher than those of non-minorities.

Phase II was designed to elicit anecdotal information from associates regarding their employment experiences, and this phase confirmed and augmented the findings of the quantitative study: Attrition of associates occurs unexpectedly early and escalates to undesirable and unhealthy levels in ensuing years.

View the comparison chart
Read the Executive Summary of Keeping the Keepers
Read the press release