are: the Traditionalists( born before 1946), the Baby Boomers( born between 1946 and 1963), Generation X / Gen X( born between 1964 and 1979), and the Millennials / Gen Y( born between 1980 and 1994). According to Hundley, while Traditionalists grew up in a post-Depression era and took on a“ pay your dues mentality,” Baby Boomers( the so-called“ Woodstock Generation”) adopted the“ anything is possible” mantra of the American Dream. The subsequent generation, Gen X, shifted to a“ work / life balance” mentality and were less loyal to employers than the previous generations. Instead, Gen X was skeptical of employers and their loyalty ethic was focused more on individuals than upon corporations. The Millennial generation is likewise focused on balance. Their mantra has been that of“ technology rules” and multitasking. They are a very inclusive group, which is leading some employers to reconsider their physical workspace floor plans to become more open and collaborative. Not every member of each generation fits these stereotypes, Hundley cautioned,“ Diversity is real.”
These generations represent different aspects of the workforce in the legal industry.“ Traditionalists are still working at law firms and as in-house counsel,” said Whitaker.“ Baby Boomers tend to control law firms as head partners and represent in house counsel leadership. They don’ t want to change their‘ work hard and earn it’ mentality [ as new generations join the workforce ]. Generation X came into law school as 1Ls asking for work-life balance and currently make up a small percentage of law firm partners and Fortune 100 leadership. Millennials have just started entering the legal workplace, particularly in house.” In addition to working as law firm associates and as in house counsel, Whitaker noted attorneys will also encounter Millennials as clients in various business units such as finance, marketing, and IT.“ It is important to keep in mind that [ regardless of generation,] we are all in this together,” Whitaker said.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association January 2016 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 19