Mandatory retirement policies, long a staple in the legal industry, dictate the twilight of a lawyer’s career, often setting this boundary at the age of 65. Yet, as career and life expectancies evolve, so too does the concept of retirement, with many lawyers at the top of their game well into their 60s and even 70s. This shift begs the question: Is it time for law firms to rethink their mandatory retirement policies for partners?
This issue affects both the individual lawyers who are not ready to slow down and the law firms that risk losing experience and client relationships when senior lawyers depart to another firm. As a legal recruiter at the crossroads of this transition, I witness firsthand the dilemma faced by partners approaching their mandatory retirement age. They are often still energetic about their practices, intellectually sharp, and, most importantly, willing and motivated to contribute. All else being equal, such partners (and their clients) would likely prefer to stay put rather than start over in a new environment.
