We’ve all heard the phrase “Better the devil you know…”,but when it comes to your legal career, sticking it out in the wrong environment can cost you more than you think.

Loyalty is admirable. It shows commitment, resilience, and a long-term mindset. But there’s a fine line between being loyal and being stuck. The best associates I work with know how to recognise when that line’s been crossed.

Maybe the progression you were promised keeps getting pushed. Maybe you’ve become the safe pair of hands who gets everything done but never gets the credit. Maybe it’s just a feeling—like you’ve outgrown your team or your firm’s direction doesn’t quite match yours anymore.

These aren’t red flags—they’re signposts.

And while it’s tempting to wait it out (for the next review cycle, bonus, or internal restructure), sometimes staying just a bit longer delays the growth you’re actually ready for. Leverage isn’t about jumping ship impulsively. It’s about having clarity on your worth, your goals, and how the market sees you. And then making decisions from that place of power.

Here are 5 things most people overlook when deciding whether to stay or go:

• Check how often you’re being invited to business development or strategy conversations.
  If you’re still being kept at arm’s length from anything commercial after 5+ PQE, it’s worth asking why.
• Audit your internal reputation.
  Ask yourself: if you weren’t in the room, who would advocate for you? If you don’t have internal sponsors, your progression may be capped—regardless of performance.
• Look at your current firm’s lateral hire activity.
  If they’re bringing in people at your level or above into the team, it may be a sign they’re looking externally instead of promoting internally.
  Analyse the last 12 months of your work.
• Are you consistently doing “safe” work?
  If your exposure hasn’t grown—bigger clients, higher-value matters, more ownership—you might be seen as a doer, not a developer.
• Check the firm’s retention data at your level.
  If other strong associates are quietly leaving or have stalled where you are now, you might be next in line for the same experience.

Get in touch with Track Legal if you’d like to chat through your options-we’re always happy to chat through what you’re seeing—and what the market’s doing in response.