discussions between lawyers Photo: fizkes/Adobe Stock

While issues of perceived nepotism have cropped up recently at Boies Schiller Flexner, that is far from the only legal organization that has had to grapple with the delicate business of balancing the relationship between family members and the organization's best interests. Courts and even law schools have been accused of nepotism, and hiring family is prevalent in many firms to this day big and small.

But addressing nepotism, or perceived nepotism, is never easy. While there are several potential risks to hiring family members for a law firm's recruitment, retention and diversity efforts, being related to a senior partner does not mean that the child or spouse of that attorney is unqualified. Family ties can be powerful retention tools and many (often smaller) firms are proud to be family businesses.