‘Really important’: Legal firms urge lawyers back to the office
Australian law firms want staff to return to the office following a sustained work from home period, admitting lawyers are most engaged when working face-to-face.
Australian law firms are urging workers to return to the office following a sustained work from home period, admitting lawyers are most engaged when working face-to-face, but business leaders are still hesitant to mandate days at the desk.
The Australian’s Legal Partnerships Survey revealed the bigger law firms have welcomed their workers back to the office at a higher rate than the past few years, and are actively encouraging employees to embrace the benefits of in-office working.
King & Wood Mallesons CEO Renae Lattey said the firm, while still offering hybrid working, was reverting to a work-from-the-office model, acknowledging development is more difficult when people are apart.
“We are conscious of ensuring everyone in the firm continues to benefit from ‘on the job development’ which is a lot more challenging when teams are away from each other – we also don’t want to lose the benefits of flexibility,” she said.
“Bringing teams together in the office for connection is really important especially in the current environment. We expect our people to work from the office more than they work from home and to meet client and team requirements.”
Ashurst global CEO Paul Jenkins said the firm will continue to operate with a hybrid working model, but supported the recent uptick in employees returning to their desks.
“We have seen an increased appetite among both clients and staff for in person meetings and we encourage this trend,” he said.
“Our lawyers are generally in the office at least three days a week. We remain committed to flexibility but we recognise working in the office is important to help lawyers develop their careers, build contacts and maintain firm culture.”
Gilbert + Tobin CEO Sam Nickless said the firm encouraged employees to work in a way that allows them to meet the expectations of the role, but pointed to “tremendous benefits” of office time.
“Our teams communicate about their working arrangements to balance their needs with those of our clients and the team,” he said.
“There are tremendous benefits in being in the office with colleagues and clients and our rule of thumb is that people spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office, with scope for bespoke arrangements.”
Addisons managing partner Kieren Parker said the firm hadn’t needed to issue mandated days in the office, because “our people are wanting to return to the office.”
“We have above-average office occupancy, returning to pre-Covid levels at certain times,” he said. “Our lawyers enjoy being office-based for training and mentorship.”
McCabes managing principal Andrew Lacey said the firm had “never mandated the balance” but was “finding in most practice groups there is a change to wanting to be in the office more and more.”
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