It’s become cliche to say that COVID-19 has radically altered the way that Biglaw does business. But, you know, COVID-19 has radically altered the way that Biglaw does business. One of the most obvious ways this is true has been the largely successful deployment of work from home policies.
There’s always been a value placed on face time in Biglaw firms. But the forced work from home set up spurred by the pandemic showed that, for law firms, everything pretty much works fine from home. As a result of this, Herbert Smith Freehills has announced a new policy allowing additional remote work.
As reported by Law.com, the international firm will allow all employees the option to work remotely up to 40 percent of the time. The firm said that policy “can be adjusted to suit each individual, team and situation” and will only apply when offices are reopened and “physical distancing rules have been greatly relaxed or removed.”
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The firm says they’re trying to balance the benefits of flexibility that working from home provides with the connection of office life:
“Despite the pressure and worries of the pandemic, we know that many of our people have greatly valued the flexibility of how, where and when we work, gaining more time for their families, health and other commitments,” said CEO Justin D’Agostino in a statement.
“We also recognise that the office will remain an important place for connection, collaboration and learning, with clients and with each other,” he added.
Firms like HSF are realizing they can’t put the remote work genie back in the bottle, and hopefully programs like this will serve the needs of both the firm and the individuals that work there.
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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).