What’s it like working almost exclusively remotely? Especially where most of the rest of the firm is in-office? I’m worried I’d get left out of stuff or that not having any exposure to a regular office environment for a “normal” law firm wouldn’t be healthy. I’ve been doing this 10 years and I’ve had both. Remote work I just kind of rot at home. But it’s the only way to avoid a nightmarish commute at this firm I’m considering

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It's amazing. I generally work from a second home across the country, so It's just a totally different environment and day-to-day existence, not to mention COL. Then, I fly in every so often, stay at my primary home, and go into the office.

I think the thing that I appreciate the most about it is that I could never have predicted I'd ever have the opportunity to live/work like this. Pre-2020, law was basically an in-office profession.

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It’s awesome. I’m in my seventh year. No commute time. I can do stuff with my family.

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* seventh year of fully remote

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Extremely lonely if you don’t have a life and friends outside of work. People who love remote work don’t seem to understand that some people really only live to work.

I’d just try and go in, even with the commute. What’s worse, sitting at home and doing nothing, or working alongside your colleagues and actually adding to society? Simple choice in my opinion.

Don’t let the stigma of remote work being better get at you. Having friends and hobbies isn’t for everyone.

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And vice versa.

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Can be very lonely / depressing, at least that’s been my experience

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Second this

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Agree there are pros and cons. You get to know people much more slowly. It can be lonely. But the convenience can’t be beat.

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I am WFH and I love it! No long commute, more time to accomplish goals. I have plenty of on camera time and exposure. Another plus...on days that I have no on camera meetings I get to work in my pajamas!

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1 day in the office and I have breakfast lunch and dinner with my family, it is great. But I would understand that it would be different if you were more junior / do not yet have a family you want to be with.

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Amazing. I see my son growing up. I spend time with my family in the mornings and as soon as I’m done working. If you’re single and lonely, then I can see the social benefit of going in to the office, but otherwise I would never go in if the partners weren’t encouraging me to do so.

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Financially it translates into a 30%-40% raise. That was a big surprise to me as we were really pulling out the stops to save more for retirement. I knew there'd be some savings but not nearly that much. It came from lunches, gas, parking, wear and tear on the car, dry cleaning, go along to get along gifts and fundraisers and even pan handlers. I had no idea how much was going out in a week commuting downtown at the office. There are some drawbacks and it doesn't work for everyone. For instance, it is isolating but as the only Paralegal in my boutique firm for 11 years I was already isolated and was used to it. Additionally there is no upward mobility to my profession that would warrant a lot of face to face interaction with management or building social capital. The whole office thought nothing of taking off to lunch together and leaving me alone in the office on a regular basis. So that wasn't new to me. At least I could be comfortable and work in peace.

I've used the time to revisit my hobbies as we get closer to retirement. I get up early and walk the trails around my neighborhood for 3 miles with a walking group then shower and put on my favorite sweats to start the day while listening to favorite jazz music. I'm not exhausted from the long day and commute at the end of the day. Or walking in the door after dark feeling like I missed out on the whole day. I am actually more productive because I don't mind the extra hour here and there and can immediately logon to take care of a crisis rather than driving into the office to do it. I love it and will never go back.

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How did you calculate this financial increase? That really is surprising!

I love it. Moved across the country, and have friends and family time.

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Is most of the rest of the firm in office by choice or policy? Either way this seems to be the biggest risk to me of getting left out or forgotten. May depend on your level and if you’ll have your own book. If you are looking for work and collaboration I would think you’d be at a disadvantage if everyone else is getting facetime.

Otherwise, remote work has its usual pros and cons. I’m hybrid which I enjoy.

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Agree with others here. I love it, but I have a family I spend time with. I have the flexibility to handle mid-day doctor’s appointments and such without worrying what others think. I was able to move cross-country for my husband’s job. I can set my own work hours, and my vehicle expenses have dropped considerably.

BUT - I am by nature an introvert. If you are an extrovert and have no family/kids, remote may not be for you. I also worked in-office at my current firm for several years before going remote during Covid, and the partnership is very stable here, so I already knew many people. I have a niche practice and I’m the only one who does it at my firm, so I don’t have to worry about colleagues forgetting me, although I do have to affirmatively reach out for updates about deals/closings and such as l don’t get the news all the time unless there’s a firm “pencils down” e-mail. And if there are layoffs, and people don’t know you well, you might be more likely to go if you don’t have your own book.

Frankly, if I still lived locally, I’d probably do hybrid. I do miss seeing my colleagues, even as an introvert. Hybrid you get the best of both worlds. But remote is what you make it.

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I think this is really dependent on whether you have a significant other/children. While that’s the goal someday, as a single person in my 30s, I would not thrive working remotely full time

There is no excuse not to be WFH in 2025. If you are in-person, it is so your employer can try and exploit you more, albeit inefficiently.

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I need help from your side,

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