As we have seen in our discussions of succession, the single biggest obstacle is often not money or clients, but people.
For suburban and small firms, the challenge of hiring quality lawyers is especially acute. In many smaller markets, candidates are reluctant to leave the higher salaries and perceived prestige of large Manhattan or Westchester firms. Geography plays a role, too, as commuting to Rockland can be difficult. As a result, small Rockland firms often find themselves fishing in a shallow pool of available talent.
Even when a good candidate is found, retention is another hurdle. Small firms may not have the same resources for training, mentoring, or structured advancement. Younger attorneys can feel stalled and may leave after only a few years. The result is a revolving door, with firms investing time in associates who never stay long enough to become true succession candidates.
Why does this matter for succession? If there are no associates to mentor, partners cannot build continuity. Without a pipeline, firms may be forced to rely on lateral hires, which can be costly and disruptive. Weak retention also reduces firm value, damages morale, and creates instability that clients notice.
There are, however, practical steps that Rockland County firms can take to compete. Embrace flexible work arrangements or even remote staffing. Structured mentorship helps associates feel supported and prepares them to take on client-facing roles. Transparency around compensation and promotion builds trust and reduces attrition. Creative compensation, such as profit-sharing or bonuses tied to business generation, rewards initiative. A strong culture that emphasizes purpose and well-being makes a difference, too.
Succession is not something to plan for at the end of a career. It is something that must be built day by day, through recruitment, training, and retention. Small firms must start early, invest in associates, and treat talent development as central to the business. Firms that build and protect their pipelines will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.
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