How do you as a partner view the management and motivation of assistant solicitors in your firm? Do you believe that they are a betrayed generation or that they have unrealistic expectations? Some approaches to career development for assistants are emerging.What can an assistant solicitor contribute in the way of client care, marketing, practice development, staff training, developing a client data base, developing an IT system, etc?Another approach adopted, particularly by one or two large firms is to develop ranks or tiers, ie assistant solicitor, solicitor, senior solicitor, principal solicitor, associate salaried partner.

To provide a yardstick, a milestone of achievement.

The advocates of this approach point out that it is all very well being given extra duties and responsibilities as an assistant solicitor but what about some more tangible recognition.

Thus the idea of titles.The idea of introducing a marzipan layer in law firms would be to recognise that not all solicitors can become partners or are likely to become partners in the future but they would like some form of recognition not only of status whether it be role, rank or tier but also a genuine share in the profitability and success of a firm.Many factors will determine the best approach.

What must be remembered is that different individuals are motivated in different ways.