May 27, 2021 at 9:58 AM
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Flexibility continues to remain the goal for law firms considering a return to in-office business in the wake of the pandemic. Yet another Biglaw firm is planning to fully reopen its U.S. offices after Labor Day, and until then anyone who wants to return to their desks will be doing so on a completely voluntary basis.
Kramer Levin a firm that came in at No. 98 on the most recent Am Law 100 ranking, with $390,000,000 gross revenue in 2020 is expecting attorneys to return to the office “sometime in September, but not before September 20.” This timeline will give everyone a chance to make arrangements for future needs, like child care, elder care, schooling, and commuting.
May 27, 2021 at 10:27 AM
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As vaccine rates increase and businesses start to open up, one question on many people’s minds is what “back to work” will look like. While many employees are on the fence about the when and how of the return to work, some employers have already made the call, including some law firms. According to recent reports, some large law firms have already announced their plans for the return to in-office work, while others are planning to allow select attorneys to work remotely.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether requiring the return to full-time in-office work is the right choice. In fact, the results of a recent survey show that not all lawyers are on board with this idea. The survey results show a stark divide when it comes to the return to the office and that many attorneys prefer a hybrid option something law firm leaders should consider before making final decisions.
May 27, 2021 at 12:38 PM
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What legal industry observers are learning by watching Biglaw firms roll out their office reopening plans, is that different firms are prioritizing different things. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett a firm ranked 14th on the Am Law 100 with $1,844,627,000 in gross revenue last year has a reopening plan, and as their announcement makes clear, they “continue to believe it’s important for our attorneys to spend meaningful time in the office.”
But what does that actually mean? According to the firm, “no one will be asked to be in the office before September 13th, 2021.” So folks at least have the summer to ramp themselves up to office life. According to the firm’s announcement, “the ultimate goal that attorneys be in the office 3-4 days a week on average during this next phase.” While we applaud the end of a 5-day in the office week, tipsters on the ground still feel that doesn’t offer enough flexibility.
May 27, 2021 at 5:31 PM
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Flexibility is the name of the game at Perkins Coie, where attorneys and staffers won’t be expected to return to the firm until October 1. To our knowledge, of firms that will be requiring personnel to return to the office in 2021, this is the latest reopening date that’s been announced yet.
The firm’s decisions on hybrid schedules have yet to be announced, but earlier this week, managing partner Bill Malley said, “We’re considering that whole range of issues. We know that firms are landing all over the map. A reason we’re taking our time here is that we want to get it right.” For the time being, it looks like lawyers will be coming into the office a set number of days (days they’ll able to choose themselves), while staff remote options will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. “For staff that have fixed work schedules [that will dictate their in-office requirements]. For lawyers there’s much more autonomy,” Malley said. “E