Ride the Lightning

Water Cooler Talk About How Law Firms Plan to Reopen

April 29, 2020

From my personal grapevine . . .

Most firms will open in stages, bringing top billers in first, support staff that bills out, and other key support staff as needed. They are looking at overall billables to determine who will be first to come back.

Many are negotiating with landlords. Two large firms got rent abatement for three months for all their offices in the US and another got 6 months for its local office.

Large firms are buying face masks and touchless thermometers. Many plan to take the temps of everyone who enters the office.

Polices regarding testing and self-reporting of symptoms are being developed as well as policies to cover the health questions the firm may ask employees and accommodations that will be made for those with disabilities. Policies regarding working remotely are being refined as well as leave policies to accommodate those at higher risk or living with those at higher risk (such as elderly parents).

Policies are also being developed which would discourage or forbid non-essential travel. However, travel deemed essential would be required.

Most of the policies are consistent with the advice of the CDC and OSHA.

Plans are being made for employees (or outside cleaning people) to disinfect the office daily, wiping down all surfaces.

Office reconfigurations are being developed to facilitate social distancing.

Law firms are beginning to look at new requirements imposed by insurance companies, landlords and clients related to COVID-19.

And that's a wrap for today. All of this staged recovery is certain to result in a new version of "the new normal."

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225|Fairfax, VA 22030
Email: Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
https://senseient.com
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