Bridging the Generational Gap: Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Essential to the Future of Criminal Defence

18 December 2025

The criminal justice system faces a demographic challenge that can no longer be ignored: the workforce of criminal defence lawyers is ageing, with the average age of a duty Solicitor now 51.

While experience is an invaluable asset in a field defined by judgement, nuance and resilience, the lack of younger practitioners entering the profession raises some important questions.

Who will replace those winding down and retiring in the coming years?
Will there simply be enough local criminal defence lawyers to keep up with crime rates?
Will the existing defence lawyer be further stretched?
Do we have enough younger people helping the sector develop and keep up with change?
Are vulnerable people being represented fairly and effectively?

A sustainable, diverse pipeline of criminal law practitioners is vital to protect the integrity of the justice system.

Fortunately, the strengths of the emerging generations – Millennials and Generation Z – align powerfully with what criminal defence work demands. By recognising, valuing, and mobilising these strengths, the profession can secure a more balanced future where vulnerable suspects remain safeguarded, and justice continues to be served with compassion and competence.

Millennials: Purpose-Driven, Experienced and Adaptable

Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials are now seasoned professionals in their late 20s to early 40s – well-positioned to enter or pivot into criminal law roles with both maturity and energy. Their defining characteristics make them natural assets for the criminal justice system.

Purpose and Social Awareness

Millennials tend to value meaningful work. They are motivated by fairness, social justice and impact – core principles at the heart of criminal defence. For those seeking a career where they can advocate for the vulnerable, challenge power imbalances, and make a measurable difference, criminal law offers exactly that.

Strong Interpersonal Skills

Having grown up through the transition from analogue to digital worlds, Millennials are often skilled communicators across different environments. They can speak to clients in a relatable, human way while also managing the increasing administrative and technological demands of modern practice, from digital case files to virtual hearings.

Adaptability and Resilience

This generation entered the workforce during periods of economic instability and rapid technological change. Their careers have required flexibility – a trait that aligns with the unpredictable and often high-pressure nature of criminal defence work. Whether conducting police station interviews at 3 a.m. or managing urgent court deadlines, their ability to adapt is a practical strength.

Leadership Potential

As the profession loses senior practitioners to retirement, Millennials are perfectly placed to step into leadership roles. They are old enough to have developed strong professional judgement yet young enough to commit to a long-term future in criminal law, shaping policy, culture and practice for decades to come.

Generation Z: Tech-Native, Values-Focused and Fearless Innovators

Generation Z, born from 1997 onwards, is the newest cohort entering the legal sector – and their arrival couldn’t be more timely. As policing, evidence-gathering and the court system digitise at pace, Gen Z brings skills and instincts that are increasingly indispensable.

Digital Fluency

Gen Z has grown up in a world of smartphones, social media, AI tools and online communication. They intuitively understand digital behaviours, patterns and risks – an incredibly useful lens when dealing with modern evidence such as mobile phone dumps, online activity, digital surveillance and cyber-related offences. This digital confidence positions them to challenge assumptions in evidence, spot weaknesses in prosecutions and explain complex digital processes to clients and courts.

Comfort Working With Vulnerable Clients

Gen Z is often characterised by their openness to mental health conversations, neurodiversity awareness and inclusivity. These qualities are vital when representing vulnerable suspects, many of whom face challenges that older generations may not have been trained to recognise. This generation have grown up in diverse classrooms, can be well-travelled and have strong cultural understanding of different backgrounds.

Innovation and Problem-Solving

This generation is willing to question outdated systems and experiment with new tools. In a justice system sometimes resistant to change, Gen Z has the potential to help drive overdue improvements – whether through better use of technology, improved communication methods or fresh perspectives on client care.

Collaborative Working Style

Gen Z thrives in team-based environments and values transparency. Criminal defence work – contrary to the lone-wolf stereotype – is deeply collaborative, involving solicitors, barristers, police station reps, caseworkers and support staff. Their instinct to share knowledge and work collectively is a genuine asset.

Why a Multi-Generational Workforce Protects the Integrity of Justice

The strength of the criminal justice system lies in the diversity of its practitioners. When Millennials and Gen Z join experienced lawyers, the profession benefits from a powerful blend of wisdom, energy, technology skills, advocacy experience and fresh perspective.

Most importantly, vulnerable suspects rely on a defence community capable of understanding their world, including its digital, psychological and cultural dimensions. Without younger practitioners entering the field, there is a real risk that representation becomes disconnected from the lived experiences of many suspects – especially young people themselves.

A multi-generational profession is not just desirable; it is essential to fairness.

What You Can Do to Inspire the Next Generation

Encouraging Millennials and Generation Z into criminal law is not about replacing the current workforce – it is about preserving the future of justice.

Every criminal law practitioner has a role to play in shaping the future of the profession. Young people are far more likely to enter and remain in criminal defence if they feel supported, welcomed and shown the meaningful impact of the work. By actively mentoring, encouraging and engaging with the next generation, you help safeguard both your practice and the wider justice system.

Practical ways to inspire and support future criminal lawyers:

Offer informal mentoring to junior colleagues, trainees or paralegals to demystify police station work, advocacy, and case preparation.
Invite younger team members to shadow interesting hearings, client meetings or police station attendances where appropriate.
Speak at local schools, colleges and universities to share the realities and rewards of criminal defence practice.
Create clear pathways to qualification within your department, including supporting accreditation and progression through training contracts or CILEX routes.
Encourage involvement in professional bodies (such as the CLSA) so they can build networks, utilise resources and grow confidence.
Celebrate small wins and progress, helping younger practitioners recognise their value in a demanding and often under-appreciated field.
Promote a healthy, supportive work culture that acknowledges the pressures of criminal work and models boundaries, resilience and teamwork.
Champion diversity and inclusion, ensuring that those entering the profession from all backgrounds feel genuinely welcome.
Share your passion for the work, because enthusiasm is contagious and seeing purpose in action is often what convinces a young person to stay.