Working from home post COVID? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anon because identifying info.

How do we feel about the possibility of doing a three weeks in-one week out situation? My SO is about to start grad school halfway across the country and I'd like to live with them at least one week out of the month (on average). My current in-house gig said they're going to let me work from home as much as I want, but I still plan on spending 1-2 weeks in the office a month. I'm interviewing for BigLaw jobs right now but worried about having longer hours and less flexibility for travelling will lead to me basically not seeing my SO at all for 3 years.

If you get an offer, I think you can negotiate this. I'm hearing about laterals and mid-levels/seniors negotiating WFH arrangements with firms.

OP here. Actually not a mid-level, I'm a 3L, which is why I'm thinking it won't necessarily be negotiable. At least not as easily.

[blair.waldorf]

Anon because identifying info.

How do we feel about the possibility of doing a three weeks in-one week out situation? My SO is about to start grad school halfway across the country and I'd like to live with them at least one week out of the month (on average). My current in-house gig said they're going to let me work from home as much as I want, but I still plan on spending 1-2 weeks in the office a month. I'm interviewing for BigLaw jobs right now but worried about having longer hours and less flexibility for travelling will lead to me basically not seeing my SO at all for 3 years.

If you get an offer, I think you can negotiate this. I'm hearing about laterals and mid-levels/seniors negotiating WFH arrangements with firms.

OP here. Actually not a mid-level, I'm a 3L, which is why I'm thinking it won't necessarily be negotiable. At least not as easily.

My bad. I assumed you were lateraling since you said you're currently in house.

[Anonymous User]

I am also of the view that certain regions are going to have to be wayyyyy more flexible. For example, the bay area is just completely unaffordable even at a senior associate salary and the idea that firms are going to keep people more than 2 or so years in the Bay Area when there are so many remote options or market paying traditional jobs in say Austin, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, NY, rest of world....will be interesting to see how it plays out

[Anonymous User]

Anon because identifying info.

How do we feel about the possibility of doing a three weeks in-one week out situation? My SO is about to start grad school halfway across the country and I'd like to live with them at least one week out of the month (on average). My current in-house gig said they're going to let me work from home as much as I want, but I still plan on spending 1-2 weeks in the office a month. I'm interviewing for BigLaw jobs right now but worried about having longer hours and less flexibility for travelling will lead to me basically not seeing my SO at all for 3 years.

If you get an offer, I think you can negotiate this. I'm hearing about laterals and mid-levels/seniors negotiating WFH arrangements with firms.

OP here. Actually not a mid-level, I'm a 3L, which is why I'm thinking it won't necessarily be negotiable. At least not as easily.

My bad. I assumed you were lateraling since you said you're currently in house.

No worries. Good to hear that it's something firms are considering generally. Gotta snag the offer first, but hopefully if I get it I can work something out.

[Anonymous User]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

[abiglawyer]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

I'm considering going back to biglaw from government if I can find a mostly WFH position. I'll take the extra hours working at home over the commute.

[Anonymous User]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

I'm considering going back to biglaw from government if I can find a mostly WFH position. I'll take the extra hours working at home over the commute.

Are you FedGov? My FedGov agency has not announced a post-coved WFH policy. Has yours?

[abiglawyer]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

I'm considering going back to biglaw from government if I can find a mostly WFH position. I'll take the extra hours working at home over the commute.

Are you FedGov? My FedGov agency has not announced a post-coved WFH policy. Has yours?

I'm not federal.

[jotarokujo]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

i do wonder whether class of 2020 got lucky or screwed compared to 2021 and 22

[blair.waldorf]

3 weeks WFH, one week in sounds way better to me.

As for the situation on the ground, I’ve discussed this extensively with my assigned partner mentor. He’s an old timer and wants to go back badly. But even he (recently) has remembered how much commuting sucked, and his opinion is that the younger partners really don’t want to go back (they have kids, bought homes, etc...) his opinion is that the firm won’t go back to 5 days a week, no matter what.

As someone else said, WFH makes big law not only bearable, but sometimes a good job. I kind of feel blessed that I started under these circumstances.

i do wonder whether class of 2020 got lucky or screwed compared to 2021

Deferral sucked for those not at firms that gave stipends, but I absolutely love working from home and my firm/team has been good about training us despite the remote environment.

[sixers2020]

I made the switch to government work (not federal). The plan post-COVID is for there to be a hoteling system where people sign up online for desk space. I am happy about this option and will probably go in 2-3 days a week whenever we return (my guess is September 2021).

[Anonymous User]

Any updates? I tried going into the office today for a change of pace and hated every second of it. I can't do this five days a week again.

[Anonymous User]

Any updates? I tried going into the office today for a change of pace and hated every second of it. I can't do this five days a week again.

Same, I had to go in two days in one week recently and was surprised how much I hated it, even as a committed WFH fan.

[Anonymous User]

Deleted