signs of the times

It really is tough as a partner at the moment.

The current shortage of young lawyers has changed the power structure in law firms, reports a gleeful Rodent, the anonymous commentator on the foibles of the US legal profession writing in the UK's Professional Marketing magazine.

He gives partners fearful of losing their associates a few hints to look out for, such as: 'the associate no longer salutes you when you pass in the hallway'; 'instead of laughing at your lame jokes, the associate now laughs at you when you tell him or her that an assignment is due immediately'; billable hours go from 15 hours a day to 15 a week; he or she leaves the office before the partner for the first time ever; and 'the associate no longer hides the fact that he or she is having a love affair with your secretary.

(You, meanwhile, have to continue keeping your affair with the same secretary a secret.)'