Current law firm attendance policies seem to have disregarded the reality of modern-day practice, especially for large-scale law firms—often known as ‘Big Law’—where team members work across different geographies and their availability is often client-driven. Law.com’s report illustrates the emerging concepts designed to adapt to this landscape.
These concepts, such as ‘core days’ or ‘core hours’, hoteling, and even attendance tracking, suggest a pathway towards genuine flexibility, where policies are tailored based on the unique requirements of practice groups.
According to numerous law firm leaders and industry consultants, the essence of true flexibility potentially rests in improved coordination. This involves enabling practice groups to dictate their own in-office schedules and implementing strategies to eliminate redundant commuting to offices that are often sparsely occupied.
For a sector that is infamous for its steadfast adherence to traditional working models, this shift may represent a significant step in moving towards a future of work that balances the demands of clients, the realities of distributed team working, and the personal needs of the legal professionals themselves.