Onward Insights - July 2025
A talent crisis is brewing in the legal profession, and it's hiding in plain sight.
While law schools continue producing graduates, the training infrastructure that develops them into experienced practitioners is rapidly shrinking. Summer associate classes are getting smaller each year as firms reassess the economics of entry-level hiring, creating a bottleneck that will leave the entire industry scrambling for mid-level talent within the next five years.
The implications reach far beyond BigLaw. In-house departments, boutique firms, and government agencies all rely on the same pipeline of experienced lawyers – a pipeline that's about to run dry.
We explore why this structural shift is happening, what it means for legal careers, and how smart organizations are already adapting their talent strategies.
Why Analysis Paralysis Is Derailing Smart Lawyers: A Psychological Perspective
Overthinking is costing lawyers real opportunities.
A candidate declined a simple meeting with a firm he admired—out of fear, not facts.
This article breaks down how legal training fuels analysis paralysis and why refusing low-stakes conversations can sabotage your career.
Onward Insights - June 2025
We’re halfway through 2025 and the legal market is anything but quiet.
Hiring cooled in Q2, but key trends are emerging: litigation is steady, real estate finance is hot, and in-house roles are on the rise.
Firms and lawyers who act now (while others wait) may come out ahead.
👇 Get the data, insights, and roles worth watching in our Mid-Year Market Check.
The Power of Being Liked
Technical skills may get you in the door, but likeability is what accelerates your legal career.
From landing client trust to snagging partner-track assignments, being someone people want to work with is a legit strategic advantage.
This article breaks down the science and the strategy behind professional likeability, plus real ways to build yours without losing your edge.
Because in law, trust is currency, and likeable lawyers are rich in it.
Onward Insights - May 2025
Summer might seem like the legal industry's slow season, but that perception is exactly what creates the opportunity.
While firms manage summer programs and lawyers balance mentoring with client work, there’s a unique opening for strategic career movement that most people miss.
This edition of Onward Insights explores why Memorial Day to Labor Day is one of the smartest windows for lateral moves.
With fewer candidates in motion and firms operating at a slightly more reflective pace, summer offers the ideal conditions for thoughtful career conversations and smarter hiring decisions.
The Human Edge: Why Soft Skills Are Reshaping Legal Talent Strategy
As law firms cautiously adopt AI and automation, soft skills are emerging — not as new priorities, but as long-standing strengths now seen as competitive essentials.
In a profession where trust, judgment, and human connection remain irreplaceable, legal talent strategies are shifting their focus back to what has always set great lawyers apart.
This post explores why emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, and leadership are becoming the primary differentiators in legal hiring and development. For firms and lawyers alike, it's not about reinventing the skill set, it's about doubling down on what matters most.
The Second Archetype: Why In-House Lawyers Are Built for the Hybrid Era
Why In-House Lawyers Are Built for the Hybrid Era
As the legal world adapts to AI, automation, and cross-functional demands, in-house counsel are uniquely positioned to thrive.
This post explores the "second archetype" — a blend of legal expertise and business fluency — and why it’s essential (not optional) for lawyers navigating corporate environments.
If you're eyeing an in-house move or already in the seat, this is your roadmap to staying relevant, resilient, and ready.
Onward Insights - April 2025
When traditional markers of success — title, compensation, prestige — no longer feel as fulfilling as they once did, it’s not failure. It’s evolution.
This month’s Onward Insights explores the concept of Aligned Ambition: how high-performing attorneys can navigate the tension between external expectations and internal clarity.
We’re talking about what to do when:
📌 Staying silent starts to feel easier than speaking up,
📌 Success looks good on paper but feels hollow in practice,
📌 You're not ready to make a leap, but you know you can’t stay the same.
Leaving isn’t always immediately possible (and often, it’s not the smartest first move). That’s why this issue focuses on how to stay strategically. Redrawing boundaries, reconnecting with what matters, and preparing for future transitions with intention and purpose.
We’ve also updated the look and feel of Onward Insights — a fresh new style for the fresh conversations attorneys need now.
How to Keep Showing Up When Your Values No Longer Align
What happens when your dream job stops feeling aligned with your values?
For many attorneys, the answer isn’t a dramatic walkout — it’s quietly enduring while strategizing the next move.
In a profession built on principles, what do you do when the firm’s don’t match yours?
This blog dives into the emotional and strategic realities of staying in a role that no longer feels like home. From coping with identity dissonance to protecting your professional instincts and building a smart, values-driven exit plan, this is your blueprint for navigating misalignment without burning bridges, or burning out.
Click through to read the full guide and start turning discomfort into direction.
Onward Insights - March 2025
🌱 New Month, Fresh Insights
The March edition of Onward Insights is live, and this one goes way beyond the offer letter.
We’re talking real retention, smarter transitions, and what law firms actually need to keep top talent engaged. Think: onboarding that works, career moves with strategy, and how AI is quietly (and not so quietly) shaking up the legal world.
If you’re building for the long run, whether you’re hiring or being hired, this one’s for you.
👉 Dive in. Let’s grow smarter, together.
In-House Insights: Why Timing Your Move Matters
When is the right time to leave the law firm grind for an in-house role?
If you jump too soon, you risk lower salaries and limited career growth. Wait too long, and you could price yourself out of opportunities.
This article breaks down why 6-10 years of law firm experience is the sweet spot for making a successful in-house transition.
Read on to find out how to maximize your earning power and career trajectory.
Beyond the First Week: Cracking the Code to Onboarding
Experienced associates already bring exceptional legal skills to the table, but thriving in a new law firm means understanding the unwritten rules, unique workflows, and the expectations of supervising attorneys.
Most firms nail the first week of onboarding, but what happens after? Discover how a strategic 90-day roadmap can help transform new hires into long-term contributors and build a stronger foundation for your team.
Ready to refine your firm’s onboarding strategy?