You can lead a lawyer to the office, but you can't always make them collaborate
In-house lawyers have been spilling the beans on what they want from the lawyers they instruct and, so far, only a handful have expressed a preference for external advisors to work from the office.
For those clients who wanted their lawyers in the office, the main belief was that juniors receive better training when closely monitored by their seniors.
"I know from my experience in private practice that being in a building with your colleagues is hugely beneficial - particularly for junior and senior staff to work together. This does not need to be five days a week, but should be a majority of the time," said an in-house lawyer in manufacturing.
While another respondent agreed: "Being in the office all the time is silly but given we highlight the importance of in-person collaboration, it's odd that law firms wouldn't also see that talking to each other in person is helpful," said a client in natural resources.
One in-house lawyer in finance said that they expected their lawyers to attend the office to justify their salaries. "I don't have any sympathy for the lawyers at the US firms earning mega bucks who are asked to come into the office four days a week. However, if you're at one of the smaller outfits, paying peanuts (relatively) then I'd understand if you want more flexibility."
But, so far, the vast majority of other respondents either didn't mind, or expressed a preference for the lawyers they instruct to have the flexibility to work from home. Or from any location.
"All our instructions are done by email and Teams so I don't care where the lawyers are sat, as long as the output at the end is high quality," said an in-house lawyer in technology.
"They do the job well wherever they are situated," echoed an in-house lawyer in energy.
Some respondents felt that remote working was important for the welfare of their lawyers.
"Don't want to pay for lawyers that are tired and miserable. But if they must be tired and miserable at least let them be so from the comfort of their spare room," said a GC in TMT.
"Flexibility makes for a happier, more efficient workforce," said a senior in-house lawyer in a bank.
"Life is important and it's much easier for me, and less stressful, to have flexibility. We're all human and I assume/presume private practice lawyers want/need the same. Show me someone telling people to come back to the office and I'll show you a guy in his 50s whose wife doesn't work," opined one in-house lawyer. "I can see the benefit to being in the office for trainees/other junior folk however, just treat people like grown ups please."
Many respondents believed that firms might miss out out on attracting or retaining quality lawyers, if the individual could not choose whether or not to wfh.
"Firms that don't offer remote working are putting hurdles in place for parents who work, or those who care for family members," commented one client. "They could also be missing out on talented individuals by not being flexible."
Some respondents noted that their organisations had embraced remote working, and law firms should mirror this.
"We have good flexible working policies in-house, so why should that be any different in law firms?" said one client, "As long as people are available for important face-to-face meetings when they happen, they could work from wherever they want the rest of the time."
"I'm fully remote so I don't care where they are," concurred an in-house lawyer in media.
The balance between office and home-working was highlighted by some respondents, with an in-house lawyer in natural resources opining: "I am not convinced of the value of mandated 100% office attendance (unless you are a trainee/junior) but I do think there is a benefit in being in the office part of the week. I enjoy the split and I don't see any reason why colleagues in private practice shouldn't be able to do the same."
"There's value to them being able to discuss things informally with colleagues, but there's also value to their lawyers having a tolerable work life balance," summed up a client in manufacturing.
Comments
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As an in house lawyer, why do I care where you do your work? My paying for a service doesn't allow me to tell you how to live your life (bar in person meeting, come in for those)
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WFH is absolutely hopeless for training and for observing mood and morale of staff.
Those who repeatedly trumpet the benefits are self-possessed and selfish folk who seem to have little or no awareness or understanding of the rights and learning needs of those whom they take on responsibility for training and development and effective supervision, or their significant responsibilities therefor, including picking up on issues that may not be evident or obvious if there is online contact only.
This is NOT a one-size fits/suits all issue and the awareness of risk management and HR subtleties and nuances in the workplace can only really effectively be done in-person.
WFH can often be an abrogation of responsibilities and a total lack of awareness of why line managers and seniors are paid higher salaries.
It’s NOT all about the money!
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Quite right. Work's a process, not a place.
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Clients don't manage law firms. Leave the decision on WFH to those who do.
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I cant imagine the driving force for firms mandating office attendance is because clients prefer it.
I think it’s far more likely so they can justify the office rent, monitor productivity and improve training.
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As an inhouse lawyer, I wouldn't mind outside counsel working from home if I wasn't paying so much to cover the rent of a swanky office...with no one in it. Work from the moon for all I care, but give me a reduction in your fee if you don't need to pay for an office anymore.
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The day will come when there will be a split between wfh and office firms, with employees gravitating to the one they prefer.
I cannot escape the feeling that many advocates for office working have to justify their huge investment in offices. And I don’t buy the osmosis thing- most learning can be on Teams and correction on drafting.
Having said all that, I’m in at least 3 days a week and really like it because it’s a laugh. Go figure.
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Hello. I'm a PP practice lawyer and I would just like to share with all you in-house types, or whatever it is you call yourselves, that I'm ok with you guys working from home as well. I know how much that will mean to you.
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I will work where I want thank you
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I'm in-house and I don't really get why in-house lawyers should have a view on this. I certainly don't.
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Anonymous 1554 - they’re your clients.
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15 May 17:41
Oh, are you a sole practitioner then?
🤧
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As long as the partner doesn't have his cat sitting on his lap during Teams calls, that is OK. Oh yes, this happened to me with a partner from a very larger international firm.
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To be fair to us in house lawyers, we answered the questions ROF asked. It's not like there was a miscellaneous box for random points and we all added a comment about WFH...