Besides hiking up salaries, some law firms are coming up with other ways to improve retention and recruitment. These special perks are becoming increasingly more important in this market where lateral defections are commonplace and associate attrition is close to 80 percent by the time lawyers are in their fifth year of practice. Nixon Peabody started a matching contributions 401(k) plan for associates who have been with the firm for two years, something most firms only do for partners and administrative staff. DLA Piper implemented a program that reimburses its lawyers $2,000 for purchasing ($1,500 for leasing) a hybrid car. This program is all a part of the firm’s global sustainability initiative which began in January. Other firms like Alston & Bird offer services targeted at mothers like childcare, nursing rooms, or parking spaces for expecting mothers.
Source: www.law.com