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Why Associates Leave

Employee Retention in Law Firms and Legal Employers — with a Focus on Gen Z Lawyers

Wednesday, May 6, 2026
 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UB Gateway Building, Room 208
77 Goodell Street, Buffalo [View Map]
Register to Attend

This interactive CLE program examines why law clerks and new lawyers become “job jumpers”—and what employers can do to retain them. Participants will explore trends in mentorship, workload, professional development, compensation transparency, and workplace culture, with practical strategies for creating environments where talented lawyers want to stay and grow.

Register to Attend  Click to register for the program

Questions? Please contact Jennifer Scharf at jrscharf@buffalo.edu.

Featuring:

  • Jennifer Scharf, Esq. '05
    Vice Dean for Career Services, University at Buffalo School of Law
  • Lisa Bauer, Esq. 
     Assistant Dean for Career Services, University at Buffalo School of Law

Upon completion, participants will:

  1. identify the leading drivers of associate attrition by employer type and match retention strategies to actual causes;
  2. apply NY Rules of Professional Conduct to common retention scenarios including overwork, inadequate mentorship, billing pressure, and workplace harassment; and
  3. recognize the recovery window and design stay-interview practices, supervision systems, and compensation structures that operationalize ethical supervisory duties.

Join us to prepare your practice for the changing landscape of legal technology and make the most of your summer associates' cutting-edge skills.

CLE: Earn 1.5 New York State CLE credit hours — 1.0 in Law Practice Management and 0.5 in Ethics and Professionalism. Approved for both Newly Admitted (transitional) and Experienced Attorneys.

This free program is sponsored by the University at Buffalo School of Law and Career Services Office.