Abstract:

Present study aims to understand how careers are managed in Law Firms.Human Resources (HR) departments have responsibilities for the Career Management of its employees. This management aims to provide professional paths that are attractive and motivating. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with lawyers and trainees from three law firms. Data were analysed with the qualitative methodology, by thematic analysis. The results suggested that lawyers see the career as a course of evolution that must be pursued with the objective of obtaining recognition and professional consolidation. The law firms look for professionals who identify with their values and with a profile that they consider the most appropriate to their reality. Career paths are well delineated in the organization structure with a rigid hierarchical structure and progressing through the achievement of objectives. This study emphasizes de need to promote career development plans in law firms. The originality of this study is the fact that we try to understand how career development occurs in a specific population, where there is a lack of scientific information – law firms.