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May 26, 2020

Law firm ponders making work-from-home option permanent

PHOTO | Contributed John Langan, managing partner at Barclay Damon law firm.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

As the coronavirus pandemic forced many employees to work from home, a large number of business owners and managers have discovered that productivity never faltered. 

That was the case for a law firm with a New Haven presence, Barclay Damon. The firm announced Tuesday that it is making the return to working physically in its offices optional for attorneys and staff.

The firm employs some 300 attorneys working in 12 offices throughout the Northeast, including at 545 Long Wharf Drive in New Haven. 

The firm’s management plans to reopen its offices in the coming weeks, but will allow employees to work from home for either part or all of the week. 

Managing Partner John Langan said he is listening to clients and employees, who have urged management to focus on safety and results.

“Our experience over the past few months confirms that most of our people are just as effective delivering top-quality legal services regardless of whether they are physically working from our offices,” Langan said in an announcement.

At the end of the year, remote working will be reviewed as a potential permanent option for employees who prefer it and demonstrate that they can do it successfully, according to the firm’s announcement. 

Connie Cahill, Barclay Damon’s deputy managing partner, said the firm had invested in technology training, which made for a smooth transition to remote working when the pandemic struck. 

According to Cahill, the firm was able to continue providing the same level of service to clients as before the shutdown. Also, many attorneys and staff found working from home to be beneficial, she said.

“We are exploring work-from-home as a permanent change to our delivery model,” Cahill said. 

Such a change, if permanent, could mean the firm would be able to hire employees who don’t live within commuting distance of one of its offices, Cahill noted.

“If successful, we also see the change substantially expanding the geographic boundaries of our search for talent,” Cahill said.

The goal, according to the firm, is to have a work environment that offers “maximum flexibility.” Offices will remain open for employees who prefer to work in the office. 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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