You might feel pretty settled in your current role, but are you staying for the right reasons? Many lawyers are, for now, but things are shifting beneath the surface.
In this blog, we look at what’s keeping lawyers where they are and why many may start exploring new opportunities in the coming months.
If you’ve been sitting tight in your current role, you’re not alone. Realm’s 2025 legal market research shows 47% of lawyers describe themselves as inactive jobseekers, not actively looking, and generally content where they are.
But dig a little deeper, and there are early signs that this contentment could be temporary.
Why do lawyers stay?
The top three reasons are:
- Flexibility or location (64%)
- Pay and reward (59%)
- Career progression or quality of work (55%)
These are practical, personal factors that speak to fairness, autonomy, and opportunity. But beneath that, lawyers also cited workload, wellbeing, and a sense of purpose as quiet concerns, factors that might not cause immediate movement but do quietly chip away at satisfaction over time.
What this means for you and your career
If you’ve stayed put because the pay is fair or the hours work for you, that’s valid. But ask yourself: is that still enough? Are you progressing, engaged, and motivated? If not, a lack of visible dissatisfaction could still become a reason to explore other options in 2026.
Curious about what else is out there?
Our expert legal careers specialists are here to help you explore your options with no pressure, just honest advice.
