In these difficult economic times, demand for legal services dries up, and a mentality of scarcity prevails at firms. When fearful attorneys hoard projects, the professional development of women and people of color often suffers. But despite a difficult economy, in-house counsel can press firms to develop a culture of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that retention does not suffer as the economy falters.
In a challenging economy, lawyers get frustrated when they have no work. Just like chipmunks prepare for winter by packing their cheeks with nuts, lawyers in a recession tend to stockpile projects and clients, fearful for the very existence of their billable hours. Such scarcity and the accompanying tendency to hoard can lead to an unfortunate survival-of-the-fittest mentality.
