Law firms never had to react and adapt as quickly as when the global pandemic hit. Some were prepared and many weren’t; some transitioned smoothly and for some it’s been a bumpier ride. In all cases, with attorneys and staff now working remotely and uncertain plans to move back to the office, there are still many questions left unanswered.

Join a panel of experts as they solicit attendee responses and discuss their own experiences and perspectives on planning and managing in these evolving times. Topics of discussion will include challenges firms are facing around supporting remote or blended working environments, the medium-term challenge of managing uncertain levels of work by office or practice group, and the long-term challenge of strategic resource planning during uncertain economic times.

Objectives:

• Hear how firms adapted their administrative functions in order to continue supporting attorneys and clients effectively, including key successes and learnings.
• Gain insight into some of the tools and techniques used to efficiently and cost effectively manage the flow of work between attorneys and their support staff including outsourced administrative resources.
• Learn about future staffing plans and how firms are expecting to utilize remote working practices long-term, moving staff back into offices, or see value in a combination of both.
• Assess the impact of an increase in support staff retirements, attrition and layoffs.
• Discuss how the pandemic has impacted firms’ disaster recovery plans, strategic planning, budgets, and willingness to embrace change.