30 Unconventional Benefits to Attract Top Attorney Talent
If you're an attorney in South Florida considering new options, we'd love to speak with you.
The attorney employment market in South Florida stays competitive. If you want to get the attention of elite attorneys, you have to give them a reason to choose you.
Candidates have options. So what's your competitive edge? What are you offering that another firm isn't?
Obviously, culture, compensation, quality of work, respect, flexibility, and opportunity matter most. Those should be table stakes.
But I started thinking about the extras. What could a law firm offer that would genuinely stand out?
So I came up with 30 unconventional perks, many borrowed from startups and tech companies, that law firms could use to attract great attorneys and keep the ones they already have.
Top 1% Salary Range
If you can't compete with Cravath, get as close as you can. If you're a boutique, be at the top of the range for boutiques. It doesn't matter what anyone says, money talks.
Office Library With an Honor-System Checkout
Fill it with books that improve legal skills, business development, leadership, negotiation, communication, and personal growth.
4-Day Summer Workweeks
I know, this is probably a stretch. But if you don't already offer hybrid flexibility, even giving people one remote day a week during the summer is a great start.
$250/Month Fitness Allowance
Equinox, CrossFit, yoga, meditation, boxing, Pilates — whatever keeps them moving.
Farmers Market / Healthy Food Allowance
Give employees money they can use toward fresh food, CSA memberships, or farmers markets.
Monthly House-Cleaning Stipend
Buy back time for your team. A clean house equals a clear mind.
3-Week Sabbatical Every Three Years
Give people real time away before burnout becomes a resignation letter.
Extended Paid Parental Leave
Sixteen weeks for maternity and paternity leave.
Annual Paid Getaway
One week, all expenses paid, every year. Let them actually unplug.
$100/Month Massage Allowance
Lawyers carry stress. Help them do something about it.
$1,000 Annual Personal-Development Allowance
Photography classes, pilot lessons, guitar lessons, cooking classes — whatever they want. It has nothing to do with work, and that's the point. Happier people are better employees.
Happier people are better employees.
Flexible Remote Work Options
Give people flexibility where the work allows it.
100% Coverage of Job-Related Hardware and Software
Laptop, monitors, standing desk, AI tools, software — whatever helps them do their job at a high level.
$1,000 Annual Charitable Match
Match donations to causes your attorneys care about.
Free Daily In-Office Lunches
Easy perk, real value, and people actually use it.
Weekly Happy Hour or Team Social
Not mandatory. Just create space for people to actually know each other outside of work.
100% Covered Job Training, Seminars, and Conferences
If you want better lawyers, invest in making them better lawyers.
Stocked Kitchen With Healthy Snacks
Simple, inexpensive, and appreciated.
Company Outings
Sporting events, dinners, concerts, boat days — whatever fits the culture.
Quarterly On-Site Health Checkups
Basic screenings, blood pressure, labs, wellness consultations.
Health-Goal Incentives
Reward employees for hitting fitness, sleep, wellness, or activity goals.
Sponsor Races and Fitness Events
Cover entry fees for 5Ks, marathons, triathlons, cycling events, etc.
Daycare Stipend
Childcare is expensive and stressful. Help reduce both.
Personal Business-Development Coaching
Don't just tell associates they need to build a book. Teach them how.
Originations Accelerator for Younger Attorneys
Give associates meaningful origination credit early. If they bring business through the door, let them participate in the upside.
Personal Brand Support
Professional photography, LinkedIn optimization, article editing, podcast placement, speaking opportunities, and help getting published. Help your attorneys become known in their market.
Annual "Buy Back Your Time" Stipend
Meal prep, laundry service, house cleaning, dog walking, grocery delivery, childcare. Give your people back hours of their lives.
Wardrobe Allowance
Suits, shoes, tailoring, the works. Attorneys are client-facing professionals. Help them look and feel the part.
1:1 Financial Planning
Access to a real fiduciary advisor for investing, tax strategy, retirement planning, and bonus planning.
Protected Business-Development Days
Give attorneys a few days each year with no billable expectation specifically to meet referral sources, attend industry events, write, speak, or pursue business.
The point is to think differently. Give people something they'll actually value, remember, and talk about.