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January 21, 2025

Melissa Zambri Shares Insights on Legal Industry Changes

Melissa Zambri, managing director of Barclay Damon’s Albany office and co-leader of the Health & Human Services Providers Team, participated in a roundtable discussion with other Albany area law firm leaders, hosted by Albany Business Review. The resulting article, “The Business of Law Is Changing,” explored law firm consolidation, attracting and retaining talent, how hybrid work challenges the traditional law firm model, and areas of law that are experiencing growth.

About balancing personal and professional needs, Melissa said: 

I think it’s up to the larger firms to listen. I think that’s the hardest part, because we’re bigger and the management group is bigger, but you have to listen to what the people working in your firm are saying, and you have to be responsive to that.

When asked about the prevalence of burnout in the legal industry and its effect on retaining talent, Melissa said, 

I also think the practice has changed. It’s become so much more demanding, right? When I started . . . your messages were taken at the front desk, and if you weren’t in the office, you called for them. If you didn’t call in by 5, there way no way to get them. Now, it’s email, or somebody’s texting, and it’s made the profession harder, more tiring. I think it’s easier to burn out because if you don’t carve out that time, you feel like you can’t coach your child’s game, and it’s even more exhausting.

Melissa also provided her insight on challenges associated with attracting new talent, how remote legal work has changed Barclay Damon’s approach to office space, and which areas of law are seeing growing demand. 

Albany Business Review subscribers can read the full article here.

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