Law firms are facing a perfect storm: rising client demand, increased competition, and associates leaving at double the rate from last year.

New data from BigHand shows that 43% of work assignment decisions are based on personal preference rather than merit, and 45% of firms only have partial data on associate capacity and utilization. 

The cost of losing a third-year associate now exceeds $1 million. Yet most firms continue resourcing in the dark instead of using data-driven allocation. Partners cling to gut instinct and control, even as associates burn out from uneven workloads or worry about being underutilized.

I’ve seen talented associates written off as underperformers simply because they weren’t getting the right opportunities. One associate I knew went from nearly being fired to becoming an equity partner with top origination numbers all because someone finally matched their skills to the right practice area.

Data-driven resource allocation isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about fairness, reducing attrition, and building stronger firms for the future.

Here’s my post on Above the Law