How much do you want WFH? Forum

[OsamaJerry]

Okay, so the question is, what do people want the future to look like? All WFH, some WFH, most WFH? Now that things look like they're turning around it's time to talk seriously about this. Please vote. The more the merrier.

[avenuem]

"I want WFH every day of the week with the option to have meetings in person"

This survey is Patetic kid. If this was a firm, you'd be put on counsel (not partner) track.

There should be a "I want WFH every day of the week without the option to have meetings in person."

[Anonymous User]

If a firm offers full-time WFH, I will go there no questions asked.

[OsamaJerry]

"I want WFH every day of the week with the option to have meetings in person"

This survey is Patetic kid. If this was a firm, you'd be put on counsel (not partner) track.

There should be a "I want WFH every day of the week without the option to have meetings in person."

Lol

[Anonymous User]

I’m surprised by how many people on here want WFH forever.

I loved working at the office pre-covid. BUT, I also didn’t have a face time requirement. If I had one, I probably wouldn’t want to go back.

I just liked having work and the rest of my life being separate.

[Anonymous User]

I’m surprised by how many people on here want WFH forever.

I loved working at the office pre-covid. BUT, I also didn’t have a face time requirement. If I had one, I probably wouldn’t want to go back.

I just liked having work and the rest of my life being separate.

For reference, are you in a major market? I don't think I'd mind going to work in a secondary market, but between the cost of living and stress of commuting, that seems to be what gets most people.

[Definitely Not North]

The poll sucks but I want both at my option. I like to go in when I'm busy, and not go in when I'm not.

[Definitely Not North]

The poll sucks but I want both at my option. I like to go in when I'm busy, and not go in when I'm not.

In order to get this I would be fine accepting like an open office hotdesk WeWork kind of thing instead of my nice office with a door

[Lesion of Doom]

Having to shower, shave, get dressed and engage in trench warfare in the tunnels damages morale and productivity. I'm going to struggle immensely when we have to go back.

[RaceJudicata]

I want to work from home forever. Genuinely do not feel a need to ever go back to the office (granted, I think my opinion would be different if I was a new associate or a lateral). I’d also like to work remotely from a different state; but firm hasn’t indicated whether it’s going to allow that option (due to tax and unauthorized practice of law issues).

[Anonymous User]

Before I opened this post — when all I saw was the title “How much do you want WFH?” — I thought the poll question was going to be: how much of a haircut to market comp would you be willing to take for the ability to WFH permanently? (2% discount to Cravath scale, 5%, 10%, etc.)

[AAPLTSLADIS]

I want to work from home forever. Genuinely do not feel a need to ever go back to the office (granted, I think my opinion would be different if I was a new associate or a lateral). I’d also like to work remotely from a different state; but firm hasn’t indicated whether it’s going to allow that option (due to tax and unauthorized practice of law issues).

#1 - Taxation is a ridiculous excuse. All big law firms use ADP and can handle state income tax and employment tax for all 50 states. Easy. It might be more expensive the more states you add to ADP, but it's not an issue whatsoever.

#2 - UPL doesn't make sense. The issue is what city is listed on the firm attorney profile. If you work and are barred in California, but want to live in Iowa, and your firm doesn't have an Iowa office, you cannot list Iowa as an office on your attorney profile. You cannot hold yourself out as practicing law in a jurisdiction in which you are not licensed. But there's nothing wrong with being barred in California, only listing California on your attorney profile, and working remotely out of Iowa.

Think about it. Otherwise attorneys could never work on all manner of vacations: on airplanes, on weekend trips, during entire summers, etc. I know plenty of *partners* who live in State 1, are only barred in State 2, the law firm has offices in States 1 and 2, and he or she lists an office and phone number in States 1 and 2.

[Anonymous User]

If a firm offers full-time WFH, I will go there no questions asked.

Goodwin is currently offering a permanent WFH arrangement in which you will be paid full market and can work remotely from the following cities/states: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Richmond. You will have to be barred in both the state you reside and in the state that holds the office you are affiliated with and you'll have to travel to your home office every 4-8 weeks (but they'll provide a travel budget for that).

There is no expectation that these associates will need to come back to the office post-pandemic and they'll otherwise be considered partner-track associates. Happy to chat if folks want to learn more.

[2013]

If a firm offers full-time WFH, I will go there no questions asked.

Goodwin is currently offering a permanent WFH arrangement in which you will be paid full market and can work remotely from the following cities/states: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Richmond. You will have to be barred in both the state you reside and in the state that holds the office you are affiliated with and you'll have to travel to your home office every 4-8 weeks (but they'll provide a travel budget for that).

There is no expectation that these associates will need to come back to the office post-pandemic and they'll otherwise be considered partner-track associates. Happy to chat if folks want to learn more.

What are the chances Goodwin eventually just stealths all these associates? There have been many discussions (including from current Goodwin associates) saying the firm panicked and stealthed a good number of associates at the beginning of covid.

[Anonymous User]

I’m surprised by how many people on here want WFH forever.

I loved working at the office pre-covid. BUT, I also didn’t have a face time requirement. If I had one, I probably wouldn’t want to go back.

I just liked having work and the rest of my life being separate.

For reference, are you in a major market? I don't think I'd mind going to work in a secondary market, but between the cost of living and stress of commuting, that seems to be what gets most people.

I’m in a major market. I’m walking distance to my office. I don’t have kids, so no need to be in the suburbs. Additionally, because I have no kids, I’m able to live in a smaller place and pay a normal amount of money for a place.

[goldenflash19]

I’d move to the country tomorrow if permanent WFH becomes a thing - I can get a 3,500 square foot palace with a pool, hot tub, land, and no traffic for the price of a studio apartment in a bad part of town in my major market.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a first year and I prefer permanent WFH. Granted, I did have an in-person summer associate experience, so I did meet many people I now work with at least once during my summer. Based on my experience with WFH so far, I haven't found any lack in the ability to learn how to do the job - video calls, phone calls, email, screen sharing & messaging have all been sufficient for communicating work and feedback. Having experienced both some very busy times and some very slow times since I started, I also really like being in the comfort of my home for either of those situations. When it's late at night and I've been working for hours and hours, it's great to be able to be in my PJs and just pass out in my bed the minute I'm done. When I've got nothing going on, it's great to be able to do my own thing and not twiddle my thumbs at the office. Having the option to go in when needed or having Firm-wide monthly or quarterly events/retreats would be a nice way to have the in-person connection, but definitely not necessary to be able to do the job.

[Anonymous User]

If a firm offers full-time WFH, I will go there no questions asked.

Goodwin is currently offering a permanent WFH arrangement in which you will be paid full market and can work remotely from the following cities/states: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Richmond. You will have to be barred in both the state you reside and in the state that holds the office you are affiliated with and you'll have to travel to your home office every 4-8 weeks (but they'll provide a travel budget for that).

There is no expectation that these associates will need to come back to the office post-pandemic and they'll otherwise be considered partner-track associates. Happy to chat if folks want to learn more.

Time to use this to leverage my firm's policy. Otherwise here I come Goodwin

[Madden_Arps]

Am I the only one that low key enjoys the commute? I like having a feeling of separation between work / personal life, it makes me feel like I can commit more fully to both vs. being "home" but also connected to my work setup 100% of the time. Plus little things like office banter, in-person meetings, etc. are nice.

IMO a rigid WFH structure (2-3 days per week) etc. doesn't really make sense. I'd rather firms just let people work from home going forward at their discretion (being sick, dealing with personal obligations, etc.) with the expectation that they spend a majority of their working time in the office.

[Elston Gunn]

IMO a rigid WFH structure (2-3 days per week) etc. doesn't really make sense. I'd rather firms just let people work from home going forward at their discretion (being sick, dealing with personal obligations, etc.) with the expectation that they spend a majority of their working time in the office.

Wasn’t this already the standard in Biglaw? I worked at a firm that, relatively speaking, was very opposed to WFH, and I still had no issue staying home if I was sick or had a doctors appointment or repairman coming or something. Honestly, other than the money, the sense of autonomy for things like that was the best thing about working in BL.

[nixy]

Why doesn’t 2-3 days WFH make sense for all the people who love WFH and get a lot done?

[Anonymous User]

Why doesn’t 2-3 days WFH make sense for all the people who love WFH and get a lot done?

Need no weekly commitment of any face time for it to be practical to live outside of city, which I think is the dream for many (low cost living and big house with land, or just beaches all year). I can swing one week a month in airfare/hotel/away from family time, but if its 2 days a week, I'm still chained to the city.

[blair.waldorf]

Am I the only one that low key enjoys the commute? I like having a feeling of separation between work / personal life, it makes me feel like I can commit more fully to both vs. being "home" but also connected to my work setup 100% of the time. Plus little things like office banter, in-person meetings, etc. are nice.

IMO a rigid WFH structure (2-3 days per week) etc. doesn't really make sense. I'd rather firms just let people work from home going forward at their discretion (being sick, dealing with personal obligations, etc.) with the expectation that they spend a majority of their working time in the office.

I think I’d feel that way if I had a 9-5. Since I’m in biglaw and have to take advantage of downtime when I can, even when that downtime comes at 2 pm, I like to be at home to exercise, walk my dog, get some chores done, etc.

[randomthrowaway]

Am I the only one that low key enjoys the commute? I like having a feeling of separation between work / personal life, it makes me feel like I can commit more fully to both vs. being "home" but also connected to my work setup 100% of the time. Plus little things like office banter, in-person meetings, etc. are nice.

IMO a rigid WFH structure (2-3 days per week) etc. doesn't really make sense. I'd rather firms just let people work from home going forward at their discretion (being sick, dealing with personal obligations, etc.) with the expectation that they spend a majority of their working time in the office.

I think I’d feel that way if I had a 9-5. Since I’m in biglaw and have to take advantage of downtime when I can, even when that downtime comes at 2 pm, I like to be at home to exercise, walk my dog, get some chores done, etc.

I completely agree. With WFH, I'm able to go to the gym or ride the Peloton whenever I get a break during the day. I'm also able to take my kids to school and/or eat dinner with them every night. When I was going into the office, those were things I rarely got to do. WFH has helped immensely with my work/life balance and overall happiness.

[nixy]

Why doesn’t 2-3 days WFH make sense for all the people who love WFH and get a lot done?

Need no weekly commitment of any face time for it to be practical to live outside of city, which I think is the dream for many (low cost living and big house with land, or just beaches all year). I can swing one week a month in airfare/hotel/away from family time, but if its 2 days a week, I'm still chained to the city.

That makes perfect sense. I was responding specifically to MaddenArps who said that a rigid (2-3 days a week) WFH doesn’t make sense and people should spend the majority of time in the office, and I wanted to know why they think it doesn’t make sense (as opposed to just personally preferring to work in the office).