Meeting the demands of today's changing business environment in the legal field requires building and retaining a loyal and motivated staff. But finding and keeping quality legal professionals can pose a challenge. The most talented legal professionals often are courted by other law firms and companies, and the effects of turnover can be costly. The time and money it takes to recruit, rehire and retain can quickly cut into a firm's bottom line.

Hiring smart is the first step to developing a loyal, motivated workforce and keeping turnover at a minimum. Other factors such as competitive compensation and creating an employee-friendly work environment also play a role. A study commissioned by our firm among executives at the nation's 1,000 largest companies found that, aside from salary, job applicants inquire just as frequently about corporate culture as they do about other benefits. The implication is clear: The more enriching your work environment, the more likely you are to retain a staff of satisfied, productive employees.