David Botter Quoted by Am Law on Gen Z Lawyers in Big Law
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For its article “Are Law Firms Ready for Generation Z? They'd Better Be.” The American Lawyer quoted Akin Gump hiring partner David Botter on the integration of “Generation Z”—those born in or after 1997—lawyers into Big Law.
Botter noted that Gen Zers appear more frank about their employment plans, stating, “They view their careers differently. They’re very open about the fact that they may not work in one place for 30 years. They’re openly talking about exit opportunities.”
He said that this generational cohort wants to know how firms can advance their careers, which will likely encompass a number of employment situations, and they are doing everything to build their own futures: “We’re perceiving them to be self-advocates. They are proactively seeking help in their careers and certainly focusing us and themselves on their own professional development.”
Botter added that these new layers also want firms to take action in other ways: “They want to see law firms that are recruiting and retaining diverse talent.”
Akin Gump has recently unveiled initiatives aimed at the recruitment and retention of young legal talent. The American Lawyer recently spoke with Botter about the launch of one of these initiatives, Akin JUMP!. The program is aimed at associates at the firm and allows them to spend time in offices beyond their home office. To read more about that, please click here.