Often, the new job is no more satisfactory than the old one. Our Career Design process helps lawyers determine what they want to do and then encourages them to work within their current practice to satisfy their career goals. Many practices have made job satisfaction and lawyer retention a goal, but don't realize they aren't publicizing that goal effectively. This will encourage candor from lawyers as well as demonstrate to the practice in a visible way that the firm is serious about this effort. Climate surveys should be completed anonymously and a report on the results should be made to the entire firm or practice area.
Lawyers are risk analyzers.
They tend to focus on problems. Try reminding lawyers of the good things about the practice and focusing on those while the practice begins to resolve whatever problems are identified. Implementation efforts on identified problems should begin within days of receipt of the recommendations. Actual progress toward these recommendations must be promptly apparent and publicized. Next, market to lawyers and prospective lawyers just as you market to clients and prospective clients.