Trends in Remote Work: The Future of Legal Industry Work Environments
The legal profession is currently facing a pivotal moment in work arrangements, as major law firms signal potential shifts back to traditional office settings. Rising back-to-office announcements have sparked debates about whether the post-pandemic preference for remote work will continue or if firms will mandate a return to in-person practices.
Current Landscape of Remote Work
A recent survey conducted by Affinipay, which garnered responses from over 2,800 legal professionals, provides valuable insights into the evolving attitudes towards remote work in the legal sector. The findings reveal that while some firms are contemplating a full return to the office, the desire for flexible work arrangements remains strong across the industry.
According to the report, 28% of respondents reported their firms operate fully in-office; 21% utilize hybrid work schedules for all employees; 19% are completely remote, and 18% have hybrid models for certain staff members. Significant variations were observed based on the size of the firm.
Notably, only a small fraction of law firms have fully transitioned back to in-person work. While discussions about the merits of hybrid work arrangements continue, the traditional five-day office presence faces considerable obstacles.
Remote Work Preferences by Firm Size
Solo practitioners are leading the movement towards remote work, with 31% of these respondents operating entirely online. In contrast, smaller firms with 1-5 lawyers reported 36% working fully in-house, while only 10% maintained a remote setup. Larger firms, those with 51 or more attorneys, exhibited a preference for hybrid schedules, with 61% offering hybrid arrangements for their entire workforce, a rate nearly three times the overall average.
For large firms, fully remote and office-only arrangements are uncommon, with merely 6% of firms adopting each model. These findings indicate that a firm’s operational and cultural framework significantly influences its work arrangement policies.
Concerns About Training and Security
Though the narrative surrounding office returns heavily leans on training and development opportunities for junior attorneys, the survey responses indicate that these were not the primary concerns for many legal professionals. Instead, issues of security and privacy dominate the discussion.
Surprisingly, many respondents expressed significant anxiety regarding technology failures, with 72% indicating they are either very or moderately concerned. This could suggest a gap in confidence regarding remote work tools, despite advancements in technology aimed at securing remote access.
The Challenge of Effective Training
While many seasoned professionals excelled in remote settings during the pandemic, the effectiveness of training and mentoring for new attorneys could suffer without informal interactions that traditionally occur in office environments. Although formal training programs are essential, they may not fully capture the nuances of learning that emerge from spontaneous, in-person exchanges.
As noted by Stephen Embry at a recent Affinipay seminar, the transition to more formal training methods is critical for addressing inequities in learning experiences, which are often exacerbated in a remote context.
However, the challenge remains: how can firms ensure that junior lawyers benefit from comprehensive training when small corrections and feedback that may have been shared informally are more likely to be overlooked in a remote setup?
The Road Ahead
As the legal industry grapples with the implications of flexible work arrangements, the future will likely see a continued blend of in-office and remote work models. The relationships between firm size, culture, and individual preferences will remain significant in shaping work policies moving forward.
For more information on the evolving legal workplace, you can explore the 2025 Legal Industry Report.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of the podcast Thinking Like A Lawyer. He encourages readers to reach out with any tips, questions, or comments and to connect on Twitter or Bluesky for engaging discussions on law and sports.
