Biglaw, Perks / Fringe Benefits

More Biglaw Firms Join The Future Of Law Practice By Offering Telecommuting Programs

This isn't just a nice perk for associates; it's beneficial to their firms as well.

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working from home work from home telecommute telecommutingTwo weeks ago, Morgan Lewis & Bockius announced a formal remote-working program for associates that will allow its third-year and more-senior attorneys to telecommute for up to two days each week. Not only has the program been hailed as a coup for work/life balance and positive client engagement, but it also assists people who had previously been adversely affected by facetime obligations at the firm — people like women and attorneys with families. Other Biglaw firms have taken notice, and have announced similar programs in the days since Morgan Lewis unveiled its new plan.

Which firms have jumped on the telecommuting bandwagon, and what are the details of their programs?

On March 13, Jackson Lewis rolled out a similar plan that will allow associates and of counsel to work remotely on an “as needed” basis, so long as they’re productive. Calling it a “win-win for all parties,” Vincent Cino, the firm’s chairman, said the policy was enacted in order for the firm to “continue to attract and retain elite-level team members, and ensure both our attorneys and clients are satisfied with the Jackson Lewis experience.” On its face, this program seems a little more generous than that of Morgan Lewis, but one wonders how far the firm will go to allow its attorneys to work remotely. What if, for example, an attorney wanted or needed to work remotely for weeks or months at a time? Would the firm support that decision?

The minutiae on the Jackson Lewis plan that have been released to the public are slim. If you work at the firm and have any additional details, please email us.

According to reports from the Am Law Daily, after conducting a firmwide survey, Baker McKenzie has also announced a telecommuting program, but the firm is offering remote working scenarios for all of its employees, not just lawyers. At Baker McKenzie, the telecommuting plan is meant to assist all employees with flexible working arrangements, not just those of a certain gender or age group. Here’s more from Am Law:

“The millennials want flexible working for a set of reasons, but frankly, so do people who have been working for 20 years,” [chief talent officer Peter] May said. “If you’re in your late 40s and 50s, you can be caught between all sorts of different responsibilities,” said May, adding that oftentimes this age group finds themselves sandwiched between caring for their parents and raising children.

According to May, if a firm “actually create[s] an environment that is flexible, that enables people to be at their best no matter where they happen to be, you’re going to have much more engaged employees.” To that end, “[i]f they’re more engaged they’re going to be more productive, and if they’re more productive, that’s going to have huge organizational implications.” May’s assertion couldn’t possibly be more correct.

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Congratulations to Jackson Lewis and Baker McKenzie for joining the future of law practice. With all the demands placed upon those working in Biglaw, giving your employees the ability to work remotely is a much-needed — and much appreciated — perk.

What are your firm’s policies with regard to working remotely? Will your firm be the next to hop onto the telecommuting bandwagon? If and when your firm adopts a formal telecommuting policy, please email us (subject line: “Telecommuting”). This is one trend that we’ll be more than happy to cover.

Two More Big Firms Prepare to Get Flexible [Am Law Daily]

Earlier: Another Biglaw Firm Jumps On The Telecommuting Bandwagon

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. She’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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