Can we start naming firms that are expecting associates to go back to the office five days a week with no wfh flexibility? And which firms are allowing associates to wfh with more flexibility post-pandemic? I hoped there would be a change to the general biglaw face time requirement but seems like some firms are going right back to 2019 standards.

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Gordon Rees - extremely flexible, we had some attorneys fully remote before the pandemic and now they’re basically like as long as you hit your hours we don’t care where you are. Could be different at other offices but it seems to be flexible across the board from what I’ve heard

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Same. GRSM. My office was flexible pre pandemic. Will remain that way going forward.

I’m at a Canadian firm of 40ish lawyers, and we recently had an all-associate Zoom call in which they made it explicit that it’s unlikely we will ever be mandated back to the office full time due to the success of wfh. I still go in decently often, but having that flexibility has been great and this was a big weight off!

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This is brilliant.

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Makes no sense to me to not be flexible when associates have to bill time. The lack of productivity argument is gone - our hours are monitored as part of our job. I don’t think full WFH 5x days a week should be expected for professional development purposes, but at this point I feel like we have earned the trust from partners we can continue to work from home when necessary.

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My productivity is way up during extremely busy periods. Had a huge closing last week and would’ve been sleeping 2-3 hours a night if I was going in. That leads to more mistakes and sloppier work product.

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I’m wfh at least one day a week whether or not my firm allows it. #fireme

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This is also me.

likefunny

Looks like Goodwin is hiring fully remote associates now

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Do you know which offices? Thanks

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Quinn Emanuel is doing remote and they were never big on face time before the pandemic either

likeuplifting

Not a big law firm, mid-size boutique, and the firm’s plan is everyone back 5 days a week in September. 😖 So frustrated with the old school nature of the legal profession and firm life w complete disregard for employee health and job satisfaction.

likehelpful

I left a firm that expected daily attendance during April - Sept of last year. I was allowed to wfh BC I was a high performer, but most attorneys and staff were expected to be in the office.

likesmart

Much more reasonable but the bar was low. It was kind of sad. I loved the firm I was at before covid but their lack of long term thinking in pressuring employees to keep delivering when the world was collapsing ruined the whole tenure for me. It was such poor judgment. How could I trust this partner to pick good cases for us?

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Nelson Mullins - back in the office full-time.

likesmart

At NMRS — I second the truth of this. Personally never stopped being in-office for the entire pandemic. Although I have to caveat it by saying this wasn't everyone's experience.

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S&C back full time, 100% in July. In person summer program. No commitment to more WFH/hybrid in the future.

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What is S&C?

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Caveat: I work a a super small boutique firm.....all I can say is what is work from home? We got a few weeks partially at home in mid April 2020. Back in office May 2020 per partners orders.
I know I need to leave and am working towards that...

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Same—literally started a job at a small family firm in late April 2020 going into the office three days a week and wfh two. Got COVID from a colleague (who was using my office on my remote days) this past February.

Lots of firms took surveys recently.

likefunny

Our firm took surveys and everyone is totally on board with their decision to make us go back in somehow, despite the opposite being true of everyone I’ve spoken with. 🙄

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Bracewell is strongly encouraging everyone to go back to the office frequently once vaccinated. It seems like there will be a bit of flexibility going forward, but I don’t think most people will be able to work from home more than once a week going forward.

I actually LOVE it here and will be extremely bummed if I end up lateraling for more flexibility. I’d prefer to WFH 2-3 days a week.

My only hope is other Texas firms will be more flexible and force Bracewell to be too.

likesmart

A8 - that’s amazing and I think is what most people want. I really hope they go for it.

Our company actually took what they learned from the last year and determined that not only we were able to work from home, but that productivity increased over the last year and they are able to save money by getting rid of some of our offices, or reducing foot prints. While they had WFH flexibility before, they are basically giving us the choice to come to an office if we want or work from home for good. But my company is pretty progressive with most of their decisions instead of being locked into the whole "this is how we've always done it."

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This is wonderful!

Williams Mullen - back in the office full-time since June, 2020.

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Are people named Mullen just terrible ?

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My boutique NYC firm is back two days a week in office, 3 days a week home permanently. It’s a great setup- IMO a better work routine then fully WFH

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Sad to see and totally silly, but not surprised. We went 100% remote a week before the lockdown in IL and remain that way. We've promised our team they will NEVER be required to come in to any office. We have ways to monitor performance as noted here by OP and others. Do your work, keep clients happy, and no problem. This is the way. (We are a 10-20 atty firm).

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Midsize Florida firm—been in the office since September and have to tell the partners if I’ll be remote. Haven’t worn masks since day 1. ☹️

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And my boss had covid... twice lol

likeuplifting

Bradley Arant (SE firm) “strongly encourages” everyone to be back full time, vaccination irrelevant, May 3. Hard return full-time (like, arrange with HR for exceptions) by June 1.

likesmartfunny

A38, get outta my brain. It’s creepy with you in here. 😳

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I’ve seen recruiter emails saying that K&E is offering full remote

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This is true. I know two people who are now remote with standard pay.

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