Why do some associates choose to stay while other leave? The NALP Foundation’s Stay Study report for Canadian law firms details the key factors driving associates’ decisions to remain at their firms, which is critical information for firms to use as they assess their talent needs and how best to optimize for the new market. The Canadian Stay Study provides important insights for firms on associates’ relative and empiric valuation of:
 
Work Allocation/Workflow Management
Compensation (salary/bonus/other)
Benefits (medical, dental, mental health support)
Firm Policies (billable hours/credit, leave)
Hybrid Work Policies
Professional Development
Career Path
Mentoring (formal and informal)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Pro Bono/Community Involvement
Firm Culture/Social Ties
Market Perception of Firm
Location
Practice Area Alignment with Personal Interest
Work/Life Balance
 
With both empiric data and narrative responses, the Canadian Stay Study report provides critical insights into the factors that actually influence talent retention, not only in aggregate, but also as segmented by firm size and demographic cohorts, enabling rapid and unique benchmarking. This important new study provides actionable data and intriguing insights for both law firms and the profession broadly.
 
This report reflects data collected from over 400 associates at 17 participating Canadian law firms. Data collection took place during July and August 2024.