Do firms expect new hires to work remotely these days? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Or at least have the option of working from home? Does it depend on the type of work?

I'm wondering specifically for patent prosecution, but I'd like to know in general as well.

Edit: This would be for a lateral mid/senior-level position. The firm I'm talking to said it would be fully remote even after the pandemic, but I wonder about other firms if I don't end up there.

[The Lsat Airbender]

I would plan around commuting to the office at least several days a week once the pandemic lets up. Anything more WFH-friendly would be a pleasant surprise. Juniors need a lot of supervision.

[Anonymous User]

I would plan around commuting to the office at least several days a week once the pandemic lets up. Anything more WFH-friendly would be a pleasant surprise. Juniors need a lot of supervision.

Hmm, good to know, thanks. I'm actually mid/senior associate level. Would that change things?

[The Lsat Airbender]

I would plan around commuting to the office at least several days a week once the pandemic lets up. Anything more WFH-friendly would be a pleasant surprise. Juniors need a lot of supervision.

Hmm, good to know, thanks. I'm actually mid/senior associate level. Would that change things?

It's going to be firm- and group-dependent but I still wouldn't get my hopes up.

Also depends on whether you're trying to build a future at this new firm. You might have a hard time building trust with, and therefore getting work from, people whom you've never met in person.

If you're just trying to bill/chill from a cabin near Lake Tahoe for a year or two, maybe try and lateral ASAP while remote onboarding is still a thing and then continually push off your in-person arrival until they fire you.