Recruitment and retention of mid-career lawyers in civil society organisations

Civil society organisations experience considerable challenges in recruiting and retaining lawyers to work in wide ranging areas of social welfare law and criminal justice, despite growing public demand for their services, thanks to increasing social need and increasing numbers of ‘legal aid advice deserts’.

This paper by Jacqui Kinghan draws together the existing literature on recruitment and retention of lawyers at the mid-career stage and makes some suggestions for strengthening and sustaining the sector, such as:

1. mentorship and intergenerational exchange
2. a mid-career community of practice
3. extended funding terms applicable to recruitment of positions
4. bursaries and loan forgiveness
5. strengthening legal education and training opportunities.