Some trends are quickly apparent from The American Lawyer’s Midlevel Associates Survey this year: the respondents are happier than before, focused on finding a work-life balance, and have their eye on the risk of an economic downturn and the possibility of being replaced by a robot.

Of the 4,000-plus survey submissions from associates we received, a large number of associates were also satisfied with their compensation, but many in Big Law were worried about the risk of burnout.