May Edition 2020

21 The challenges are the same as before but all the more pressing and pronounced. How best to support clients through a fast-evolving and uncertain climate. Q: How, to your opinion, will the legal industry change? How will the "new normal" look for law firms? Ross Fishman: In the good times, lawfirms tend to grow inefficiently, adding surplus capacity because their rates are high and they’re so profitable. In lean times like these, they need to find ways to become much more efficient. Firms are starting to learn for the first time ever that they can work remotely. Although the transition was abrupt and painful,many firms have purchased the technology that has enabled them to work from home comfortably and efficiently. They are finding that many of their lawyers can work effectively from home, without the constant distractions they have at work. They’re also learning how nice it can be to work from home in their comfortable sweat clothes and avoid the long commutes.Many firms I knoware starting to look at ways to drastically reduce one of the biggest overhead expenses, their rent. We may find in the future that firms will have smaller overall footprints, with fewer offices, as they encourage their lawyers to work from home 2-3 days per week. Joshua Peck, Joshua Peck Communications: The pandemic has made clear to attorneys that a law firm is an organic whole, and must be operated and must practice as such, not as a collection of individuals. Technology has been especially important during the quarantine, but everyone has a role to play--human resources, to help with the many personnel problems that have already emerged and are yet to emerge; facilities directors, to adjust the physical space to new realities; and certainly marketing and business development, to help firms rebound from the dark days we are currently experiencing. My observation is that partners and firm leaders increasingly recognize the importance, even crucial role, of the "lower-downs," including hard-working associates and counsel. Our collective final destination is as yet not clear, but a higher level of respect, awareness of everyone's contribution, and even kindness may well be on the horizon. It may come down to the simplest gestures and words. Perhaps, the next time a partner comes back to work at the office, and asks a legal assistant "How are you doing?", the partner will actually signify that he or she really wants to KNOW.