It's official, Gen Z has entered the workplace! There are now four different generations comprising law firms and legal organizations. Each generation has a different outlook on the world based on their experiences in life and the society that they grew up in. Bloomberg recently reported that big law associates have never had it better, now working less hours but earning more money than ever before. Also this year, the number of female associates at law firms is equal to that of men, finally mirroring the fact that 51% of law school graduates have been women for many years. One thing is clear: Young lawyers entering the workforce are challenging law firm culture as we know it and creating a generational shift. New lawyers joining government, in house, and non-profit organizations have also raised their expectations and challenged long standing legal industry norms. Now more than ever, generational differences among attorneys abound.

Among the generations, differences in communication styles, workplace habits, and personal preferences are glaring. The first step to overcoming these differences is understanding them. Boomers and Gen Xers were born between 1946 and 1980. They grew up without the internet and modern technology. They had to look up cases in the law library (gasp!). They are used to carrying paper files, brief cases, litigation bags, and boxes of documents. The office and law firm library were crucial places to do legal research, strategize and collaborate with other lawyers. Lawyers of this generation came up the ranks dictating letters, using snail mail, and relying on fax machines. They have fond memories of the past and are loyal to the legal industry norms they are used to. Many believe that young lawyers must work and struggle up the ranks just as they did. They view ultra-modern conveniences as superfluous and distracting, rather than helpful.