Complaints about culture and a "lack of engagement" are symptoms of law firms worried about a lack of internal cohesion. Here's how they can start getting it back.
Law firms need an animateur, or animator...someone like me who understands the practice of law and provides a central repository of complaints, praise and ideas for social contact. People often wonder why I deliver fitness classes to seniors instead of practising law, but the short answer is I do it to connect with people who live in isolated social spaces and while it is tremendously rewarding for me personally, I feel that my most important role is that of connector. Every time I think about practising law, I'm filled with emptiness...there is nothing that makes the practise of law attractive except a feeling of belonging, enjoyment and collegiality...which, as lawyers, we don't have and don't know how to cultivate :(
Law firms need an animateur, or animator...someone like me who understands the practice of law and provides a central repository of complaints, praise and ideas for social contact. People often wonder why I deliver fitness classes to seniors instead of practising law, but the short answer is I do it to connect with people who live in isolated social spaces and while it is tremendously rewarding for me personally, I feel that my most important role is that of connector. Every time I think about practising law, I'm filled with emptiness...there is nothing that makes the practise of law attractive except a feeling of belonging, enjoyment and collegiality...which, as lawyers, we don't have and don't know how to cultivate :(