A recent study conducted by the University of Bath delves into the emotional journey of lawyers working towards partnership. Involving a wide range of participants, the study identifies four distinct emotional stages that lawyers experience throughout this challenging process.
The University of Bath’s study conducted an impressive 50 interviews, involving 31 lawyers who are currently on a trajectory towards partnership. In addition to the legal professionals, seven human resources professionals also shared their insights. The interviewees comprised professionals from both genders, with 15 women participating in the study. Those involved were based in law firms scattered throughout London and the South West. The firms represented in the study varied in size significantly, ranging from just under 50 partners to well over 500 partners.
One particular sentiment expressed captures the daunting marathon of the partner track. As one lawyer put it, the journey to partnership could be likened to ‘wading through treacle to get to the promised land and finding that in the promised land there is just more treacle.’
Readers who wish to delve deeper into the study’s findings can access the full report in an article published on Law.com, titled “From Rose-Coloured Glasses to Disillusionment: The Emotions Lawyers Experience on the Partner Track.”