The issue of generational diversity in the workplace has moved to the forefront of my mind as I now find myself, somehow, middle-aged and mid-career. It is a personal identity shift and a consciousness not only about how I carry myself differently as a lawyer, but also about how I am viewed and treated differently by colleagues and clients. My new “meat in the sandwich” vantage point brings with it an appreciation for the difficult transitions we make in the legal profession – both as new lawyers coming up and as senior lawyers entering the twilight of their careers.

Being near the end of your legal journey does not seem easy. Perhaps for that reason, and because in law, one can practice as long as the mind remains sharp even if the body begins to deteriorate, we currently have more generations in the active workforce than any other point in history. And, due at least in part to technological changes over the past 70 years, the generations are probably also the most distinct in norms, preferences, and communication styles than at any point in history.