In a realm that shines with high stakes, the perspective between a microphone and a Biglaw firm trying to enforce office return mandates for attorneys could currently be one of the most contentious. Where it is true that there is no shortage of consultants and third parties willing to speak on how law firms have regained their leveragereference link and could theoretically release lawyers unsympathetic to the idea of coming back into the officereference link, most law firms are not acting on these sentiments.
Preemptive steps such as rushing lawyers back to office spaces are drastically missing from the scene, despite the general trend of Biglaw firms to piggyback off each other’s significant decisions in a domino-like sequence. This is indicative of a great number of firms remaining entirely unconvinced that this apparent “leverage” exists, in spite of its promotion, and maintaining their individualistic policies.
A recent Microsoft study backs up such a perspective, concluding that “a more enduring and effective approach requires concerted efforts to rebuild social capital”. Essentially, professionals are less interested in succumbing to fear-driven policies and more keen on seeing opportunities to develop meaningful connections in their respective workplacesreference link. This overturns a common misconception that legal professionals are simply reluctant to return to their offices. Instead, they want a fair degree of flexibility and an added sense of purpose or benefit when beckoned to return to office spaces.
A key finding offered by the same Microsoft survey suggests that a communal sense boosts office returns, with roughly 74% of surveyed employees admitting they would be more persuaded to return to the office if their “work friends” did the samereference link.
In addition to these surprising revelations, a significant number of firms are only beginning to explore digital solutions to accommodate hybrid workspaces. The Maptician 2023 Attorney Engagement Survey, for instance, revealed that “presence technology” boosts in-office activity almost twofold, implying an encouraging potential for technological solutions in catering to the present circumstancesreference link.
It remains more important than ever to ensure law firms maintain an accommodating environment for talented legal professionals, many of whom are eager to continue their work without strictly committing to a regular physical in-office presence. After all, these are the real assets of any law firm, and making small concessions in their accommodations could indeed mean winning the talent war.