Biglaw

Biglaw Back To Work: Get Ready For Office Life Come Spring 2021

Lawyers weigh in on their firms' post-COVID office reentry plans.

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The novel coronavirus continues its rapid spread across the country, with cases increasing exponentially by the day. It seems that each week, the U.S. sets a record COVID-19 death toll. Hospitals are edging ever closer to being overrun, with some already rationing care for the sick. To say that things do not look good would be an understatement.

Thankfully, two vaccines have been approved for emergency use by the FDA, and they’re being administered across the country in phases. Hopes are pinned on the vaccine’s potential to put an end to the pandemic. With the latest news that judges and lawyers will have priority for vaccination, it makes it seem even more likely that attorneys will soon be able to leave their virtual workspaces to return to their offices.

But just how quickly are law firms planning to step away from remote work and formally reopen their offices? Will you be expected to return to work?

We polled attorneys at nearly 150 Biglaw and boutique law firms from almost every state in America (with our largest respondent cohorts coming from New York and California), as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada to find out what lies ahead for the legal workforce thanks to the pandemic.

Has your firm set a date for the transition away from remote work and the reopening of its office(s)?

An overwhelming majority (83.84%) of respondents reported that their firms had not set a specific date for a transition away from remote work and the reopening of offices. Other firms, however, know generally when they plan to return to work.

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When does your firm plan on reopening its office(s)?

The largest cohort of respondents (65.63%) reported that their firm plans to reopen its office(s) in Spring 2021.

What are going to be your firm’s in-office work expectations?

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Over half of respondents (54.79%) reported that their firm’s in-office work expectations will include in-office presence at the discretion of the employee.

Have your offices been altered to allow for better social distancing?

Almost half of respondents (48.75%) reported their office has been altered to allow for better social distancing.

What sorts of alterations have been performed?

The largest cohort of respondents (35.25%) reported new signage has been added to their offices. Some of our “other” responses included these alterations: conference room closures; one-way hallways; no shared kitchen equipment; removal of food and beverages; PPE distribution; sanitizing stations; and closed bathroom stalls.

Which of the following best describes your opinion of your firm’s plan:

The largest cohort of respondents (66.94%) reported that they believe their firm’s plan has been just right. This was followed by 10.48% of respondents equally thinking firm plans were slightly rushed and very overcautious.

Are you ready to return to work? We certainly hope so, because it looks like that may be what Biglaw and boutique firms are expecting of their attorneys in just a few months. As with all things having to do with COVID-19, these plans are likely subject to change, but be sure to prepare yourselves for office life once again — just in case.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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