David Botter Discusses Millennial Lawyer Recruitment and Talent Development with Texas Lawyer
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The American Lawyer, in its article “Millennials Flocking to Texas Law Firms,” has quoted Akin Gump hiring partner David Botter regarding the growth of younger lawyers at law firms in Texas. A report cited in the article notes that 43 percent of lawyers at roughly 400 large firms across the United States are millennials, those born between 1981 and 1999. Akin Gump is one of five firms in Texas to exceed that figure, coming in at 47 percent.
Botter identified the reason for the high number of millennials at Akin Gump as resulting from the firm’s lawyer population being refreshed every year with about 50 new associates coming out of its summer program.
In terms of retaining these young lawyers, Botter noted that the firm has always been focused on talent development, and that firm management regularly speaks with first-year and midlevel associates regarding professional development opportunities. Among the initiatives introduced as a result of these meetings is the introduction of individual business development funds for all firm associates and counsel.
That’s a departure from the norm, according to the article, where nearly half of the new Texas partners polled in a recent survey said their firm does not provide such funds for associate-level lawyers.