Onward Insights - March 2025

Welcome to the March edition of Onward Insights!

This month, we’re diving into what happens after the hire. Great recruiting isn’t just about landing top legal talent, it’s about ensuring they stick, succeed, and soar. From onboarding that actually delivers, to timing career transitions for maximum impact, we’ve been deep in conversations that go beyond first impressions.

We’re also examining how AI is reshaping the legal workplace, why lawyers are taking longer breaks between roles, and how firms can build more equitable hiring practices. The theme? Sustainable success for firms, candidates, and the legal ecosystem as a whole.

Let’s get into it.

Beyond the Offer Letter: Why Onboarding Is Your Secret Weapon

First impressions don’t end at the interview. The real make-or-break moments for retention often happen in the first 90 days. In our latest blog, Beyond the First Week: Cracking the Code to Onboarding, we break down how law firms can transform onboarding from a checklist into a strategic advantage.

🔹 Align values and expectations early

🔹 Foster integration, not just orientation

🔹 Empower new hires to thrive, not just survive

Read the full article → Onward Blog 

Timing Is Everything: Making a Strategic In-House Move

When’s the right time to pivot in-house? In our second March blog post, In-House Insights: Why Timing Your Move Matters, we explore how attorneys can navigate the internal vs. external opportunity debate and why “waiting for the perfect moment” might be costing you more than you think.

Key takeaways: 

✔ Market timing and personal timing don’t always align
✔ Don’t wait for burnout to begin your search
✔ Strategic transitions require foresight, not hindsight

Catch the full post → Read here

What You Missed on LinkedIn This Month:

Here’s a roundup of our top-performing insights from March:

🧠 AI in Law: Tool or Threat?
Lawyers won’t be replaced by AI, but those who don’t adapt might be. We unpack how AI is transforming research, contract review, and litigation strategy - and what you can do now to stay relevant.

🧰 Career Transition Toolkit
Switching firms isn’t just a move, it’s a moment. Our guide walks attorneys through everything from negotiating a start date to structuring their time off for maximum clarity and confidence.

🌍 Diversity in Hiring
Inclusive hiring panels aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re proven to reduce bias, enhance decision-making, and elevate your firm’s credibility with today’s talent pool.

💼 Lateral Trends: The One-Month Reset
More lateral associates are pushing for up to four weeks off before starting new roles, and firms are adapting. We explored how this trend supports mental health, reduces burnout, and leads to stronger starts.

🛡️ AI-Fueled Cybercrime: Are Firms Prepared?
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue, it’s a business continuity issue. We discussed how firms can proactively address AI-enabled threats before they become firm-wide disasters.

Industry Pulse: March Insights from Across Legal

📰 BigLaw's Mental Health Crisis Isn’t Slowing Down
A recent survey by Bloomberg Law found that 75% of lawyers reported moderate to severe burnout - a wake-up call for firms still resisting flexibility and mental health resources.
Source: Bloomberg Law, March 2025

📈 Lateral Hiring Is Rebounding, But Cautiously
According to Leopard Solutions, lateral movement has increased 11% year-over-year, but candidates are more selective, prioritizing culture fit and firm values over raw comp.
Source: Leopard Solutions, March 2025

📣 Women GCs Push for Equity in Outside Counsel
Top female General Counsels are demanding more diversity and accountability from law firms. It’s no longer enough to talk DEI, clients want proof.
Source: Corporate Counsel, March 2025

Parting Thoughts: Build for the Long Run

Great hiring is more than headcount. It’s about building teams that thrive long after the ink is dry on an offer letter.

For firms, that means investing in better onboarding, meaningful mentoring and training practices, and honest conversations about burnout and flexibility.

For attorneys, it’s about planning transitions with intention, using every move to grow not just your resume, but your relationships, resilience, and reach.

At Onward Recruiting, we help both sides build careers and cultures that last.

📌 Let's talk about what’s next, connect with us on LinkedIn or reach out directly.