Survey: 'Doing Meaningful Work' Tops Lawyers' List Of Greatest Legal Career Concerns

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Lawyers are more concerned with making an impact than getting ahead financially, a recent survey from Robert Half Legal suggests. More than one-quarter (26 percent) of lawyers interviewed said doing meaningful work is their greatest legal career concern. Benefits ranked second with 20 percent of the survey response, followed by career growth or professional development (18 percent). Compensation was cited as the top concern by just 14 percent of those surveyed.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Legal, a premier legal staffing firm specializing in the placement of lawyers, paralegals and other highly skilled legal professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on 350 telephone interviews with lawyers in the United States and Canada: 175 of the respondents are employed at law firms with 20 or more employees and 175 are employed at companies with 1,000 or more employees.

Lawyers were asked, "What is your primary career concern?" Their responses:

Doing meaningful work	26%
Benefits (e.g., healthcare or retirement)	20%
Career growth or professional development	18%
Compensation	14%
Job stability	11%
Health of my company (e.g., new clients/ business generation, beating competition)	2%
Other	1%
None/don't know/no answer	8%
Total	100%

"The legal field is demanding, and the long hours and daily challenges can take their toll," said Charles Volkert, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "Finding work that is both personally enriching and financially rewarding creates the greatest job satisfaction for legal professionals. Benefits, compensation and job stability go only so far when the work itself lacks meaning."

About Robert Half Legal

Robert Half Legal is the legal staffing division of Robert Half. The company provides law firms and corporate legal departments with highly skilled professionals, including lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel, on a project and full-time basis. With North American and global locations, Robert Half Legal also offers managed review and e-discovery services. More information, including online job search services, can be found at roberthalflegal.com. For career and management advice, follow our Legal Blog at blog.roberthalflegal.com.

SOURCE: Robert Half Legal

Lisa Hamilton, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.roberthalflegal.com