By David Bargman
“Collegial” used to be a common promotional description of a law firm. The term implied teams working together at all levels toward a common goal. I remember weekly department meetings (and first class dining), all night drafting and editing sessions, and the proverbial nights at the printer. Now, in the poet’s words - All changed, changed utterly?
But has the virus, forcing all of us to work “remotely”, without physical companionship in a common workplace, auguring a new professional style: “Why continue to commute” said a corporate partner from Westchester; “I love my kids, but they do interfere with my work” said a BigLaw Litigation Partner. With today’s scanning, email, and redline technology, attorneys do not need to be physically present in their offices to do their work. Moreover, and largely due to the pandemic, the question is whether they want to work in an office at all. Although working remotely has been available for years, during this crisis it was mandatory, Now the crisis has forced all lawyers to go virtual, it remains to be seen how many lawyers will be required to work in an a office setting and, given a choice, how many will want to.
The UK has already relaxed its lock down requirements and a major international firm has reopened its London office, subject to safety and health considerations, but is doing so as an option for attorneys who prefer to work in an office; attorneys have the option of working in the office or in a remote location. For many, the fully virtual operation has been so successful that there is no need for anyone to work in the firm’s office .Those prefer to return to a regular office-based working environment may do so.
“Well-being “falls into three categories: job security, health and work-life balance (social). A recent survey of associates found that job security, followed by cost cutting measures, work-life balance and wellness issues were their principal concerns having to do with do with practicing law during the pandemic and in the future. Furthermore, associates are generally satisfied with their firms’ efforts to maintain camaraderie and transparency in firm finances and cost cutting.
We cannot know the duration of our professional isolation. “Rollouts” are begging to make physical office space more available subject to safety and health considerations’”. Will lawyers want to leave home for even a minimal risk of catching the virus? Will their firms give them the choice? How will the considerations spelled out in this article and others affect professional decisions.
Only time will tell. And it certainly is not telling us.
David Bargman, Esq. is President of Baum Stevens Bargman
646-710-4941, d,bargman@bsblegalsearch.com