Appraisals are supposed to provide clarity.
A chance to step back, reflect on your performance, and understand what the next stage of your career looks like. But for many private client lawyers across Yorkshire, they often have the opposite effect.
You might go in expecting direction but come out with something far less certain.
Not unhappy, not frustrated enough to act, just… unclear.
And that lack of clarity can be more limiting than it first appears.
When “you’re doing well” isn’t enough
Most appraisals are positive.
You’re told:
- You’re a safe pair of hands
- Clients like you
- Your work is good
All of which is reassuring.
But reassurance isn’t the same as progression, because what often doesn’t get addressed is:
- What level you’re actually operating at
- What you need to do to move beyond it
- Whether the work you’re doing is stretching you in the right way
You might leave knowing you’re valued, but not knowing what’s next.
The problem with vague progression
In theory, private client offers clear progression, but in reality, it’s often far less defined.
Particularly in Yorkshire firms where:
- Teams are stable
- Senior positions don’t open up frequently
- High-value or complex work is concentrated at the top
That can create a situation where:
- Progression is talked about, but not mapped out
- Timelines are implied, but not committed to
- Development happens reactively, not intentionally
And over time, that uncertainty compounds.
Why this matters more at 5–15 PQE
Early in your career, ambiguity is normal.
You’re learning, building experience and finding your feet.
But by the time you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt, the questions change:
- Am I building the right kind of experience?
- Am I being positioned for more complex, advisory work?
- Will my current trajectory open doors, or quietly close them?
If those questions aren’t being answered clearly in your appraisal, it’s not just frustrating, it’s a risk.
Because private client careers tend to evolve gradually. And without clear direction, it’s easy to stay busy, stay valued, and stay in roughly the same place.
Why many lawyers don’t push for clarity
One of the most consistent themes from Realm’s most recent market research is that most lawyers aren’t actively looking to move.
Only a small proportion describe themselves as active jobseekers, while a much larger group are open to the right opportunity but not taking proactive steps and that reflects what I see day to day.
Private client lawyers aren’t restless. They’re selective.
If your salary is fair, your hours are manageable and your team is supportive, it can feel unnecessary to push too hard in an appraisal setting, especially when the feedback you receive is broadly positive.
But positive feedback without clear direction is where many careers quietly stall.
The hidden gap between performance and development
Another theme that comes through strongly in the data is the role of engagement.
While it doesn’t always show up as a headline reason for moving, it often sits behind the scenes, shaping how lawyers feel about their role day to day .
In private client, that often shows up as:
- Doing good work, but not feeling stretched
- Being trusted, but not truly developed
- Feeling settled, but not progressing
It’s subtle, and because it doesn’t create immediate pressure to leave, it can go unaddressed for years.
What a useful appraisal should give you
A strong appraisal shouldn’t just tell you how you’ve performed.
It should give you a clear sense of:
- What level you’re currently operating at in the market
- What kind of work you need more exposure to
- What skills or experience are missing from your profile
- What a realistic timeline for progression looks like
Crucially, it should link your current role to your future position in the wider market, not just within your firm.
Because that’s ultimately what shapes your long-term options.
A simple self-check after your next appraisal
After your next review, it’s worth asking yourself:
- Do I understand what “good” looks like at the next level?
- Has anyone clearly explained what I need to do to get there?
- Am I getting exposure to the kind of work that supports that progression?
- If I stayed here for another two years, how would my profile be perceived externally?
If the answers feel vague, you’re not alone, but it’s something worth addressing sooner rather than later.
Make sure you’re moving forward, not just standing still
Most private client lawyers don’t leave roles because something is wrong, they leave because something isn’t quite clear.
If you’ve come out of an appraisal feeling unsure about your direction, it can be helpful to sense-check your position with someone who understands the Yorkshire private client market.
Bill Szajna-Hopgood works with private client and Court of Protection lawyers across Leeds, West Yorkshire and beyond, and can give you an honest view of how your experience is likely to be perceived, and whether it’s setting you up for the next stage of your career.
If you’d value that perspective, you can get in touch with Bill for a confidential, no-pressure conversation.
You don’t need to be actively looking, but having clarity on where you stand (and where you’re heading) can make all the difference.
