Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
New data collected across firms worldwide has revealed a consistent connection between burnout and turnover, yet with slightly different regional rates and perceptions.
According to LEAP Legal Software’s Profitability in Law: Global Report 2026, eighty per cent of legal firms are experiencing various degrees of difficulty connected to staff turnover, with an 8 per cent portion describing the impact on their firm as significant or critical.
Only 20 per cent did not report a problem regarding staff turnover.
Of the majority that did, half (40 per cent) categorised it as a minor problem, 33 per cent described it as moderate, 7 per cent called it significant, and 1 per cent revealed it was critically impacting their firm.
Agile Market Intelligence director Michael Johnson explained that, while turnover “may be seen as a minor or moderate challenge, [but] its impact on continuity, client service, and capability is significant”.
Regarding nation-specific findings, staff turnover problems were slightly less pressing in AU/NZ firms, presenting approximately 11 per cent lower rates than in either UK/IE or US/CA. Similarly, the proportion of AU/NZ firms that reported staff turnover as not a problem was approximately 11 per cent higher than that of other polled regions.
Johnson said that cultural differences may explain these differences. On Australian figures, he said: “We look after our staff and provide a great place to work.”
“Firms that are managing this effectively tend to differentiate on culture, flexibility, and workload management.”
Burnout similarly remains persistent and impactful in the profession and likely contributes to the high rates of turnover. Globally, one in 10 firms believe that burnout strongly affects retention or turnover, 75 per cent categorise it as a moderate or minor problem, and 14 per cent reported it does not cause issues for their firms.
Regional comparisons reveal marked yet slightly smaller differences, potentially suggesting that burnout is more common and likely across nations compared to the impact of actual turnover. As expected, AU/NZ revealed the highest rates of non-issue, 16 per cent compared to 15 per cent in UK/IE and 11 per cent for US/CA.
Combined moderate and minor problems with burnout polled 77 per cent for AU/NZ, 74 per cent for UK/IE, and 75 per cent for US/CA.
Johnson said: “Burnout is not yet a crisis for most firms, but the fact that it is already driving retention and turnover issues for one in 10 highlights a clear and growing risk.”
“Early awareness in Australia and New Zealand markets may prove critical in preventing more severe outcomes.”
Amelia is a Professional Services Journalist with Momentum Media, covering Lawyers Weekly, HR Leader, Accountants Daily and Accounting Times. She has a background in technical copy and arts and culture journalism, and enjoys screenwriting in her spare time.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Lawyers Weekly a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Lawyers Weekly as a preferred news source.
