WFH Bay Area Big Law Firms? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all - I'm sure this has been talked about before, but can anyone share intel (either via post or a link if one exists for a website) of Big Law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area that have had flexible WFH options before and/or starting now with the pandemic?

On the flip side, if you have intel on which firms still insist on 5 days a week in the office or is known for ridiculous work hours, please share, thanks!

[Anonymous User]

I know of the of the following firms offering permanent WFH if asked:

Goodwin, WSGR, Orrick, Perkins Coie, Cooley

[cisscum]

I know of the of the following firms offering permanent WFH if asked:

Goodwin, WSGR, Orrick, Perkins Coie, Cooley

Fenwick as well I believe

[Anonymous User]

Some firms not mentioned so far:

Paul Hastings has not made it clear, but seems to be going back to 5 day expectation.

Sheppard Mullins has made it clear to associates they expect basically return to pre-pandemic

Latham is moving to a hoteling/hot desk system when they reopen. Not clear on how that impacts WFH but it assumes at least decreased face time expectations.

[Anonymous User]

K&E SF is recruiting full remote associates, not sure how this might apply to people actually in the bay area

[Anonymous User]

I know of the of the following firms offering permanent WFH if asked:

Goodwin, WSGR, Orrick, Perkins Coie, Cooley

Perkins Coie is offering permanent WFH? Do we have this on authority?

[Anonymous User]

It was on a Law360 or whatever article.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn Emanuel's Silicon Valley office was basically entirely optional WFH way back in summer 2019. Usually about 50-75% of the office was not in person on any given day. Many associates came in only once every two weeks. Don't know how the pandemic changed things, but can only imagine it's even more WFH-friendly now.

[Anonymous User]

Looks like Jones Day Palo Alto is going back to the office.

[Anonymous User]

Was that ever a question? Good luck trying to have a West Coast/SF/Palo Alto office if you don't offer some flexibility/WFH

[Anonymous User]

Was that ever a question? Good luck trying to have a West Coast/SF/Palo Alto office if you don't offer some flexibility/WFH

Paul Hastings announced this morning they expect 5 days a a week in office from September 7.

[Anonymous User]

Was that ever a question? Good luck trying to have a West Coast/SF/Palo Alto office if you don't offer some flexibility/WFH

Paul Hastings announced this morning they expect 5 days a a week in office from September 7.

?? How can PH be so out of touch haha. I feel like this is just asking your mid-levels to lateral to a competitor.

[cisscum]

Can someone post the PH email?

[Anonymous User]

Can someone post the PH email?

ATL finally posted it. https://abovethelaw.com/2021/06/paul-ha ... reopening/

[Anonymous User]

Can someone post the PH email?

ATL finally posted it. https://abovethelaw.com/2021/06/paul-ha ... reopening/

What a clown-ass move. Between designing the 2020 COVID bonus to apply to as few people as possible and this, it's like they are asking people to lateral/leave. People are pissed, especially in areas where WFH is common.

[lawlo]

Can someone post the PH email?

ATL finally posted it. https://abovethelaw.com/2021/06/paul-ha ... reopening/

What a clown-ass move. Between designing the 2020 COVID bonus to apply to as few people as possible and this, it's like they are asking people to lateral/leave. People are pissed, especially in areas where WFH is common.

Lol I feel like I've been hearing this for years from PH associates. When will enough be enough for yall?

[Anonymous User]

Can someone post the PH email?

ATL finally posted it. https://abovethelaw.com/2021/06/paul-ha ... reopening/

What a clown-ass move. Between designing the 2020 COVID bonus to apply to as few people as possible and this, it's like they are asking people to lateral/leave. People are pissed, especially in areas where WFH is common.

Lol I feel like I've been hearing this for years from PH associates. When will enough be enough for yall?

The corporate department seems to be losing associates in droves and struggling to staff on matters for a few months now. My old group (I also just left) had 50% of their associates (and another 10% who I personally know are interviewing) go since February.

Not that it will ever be super obvious as they'll never struggle finding SOMEONE willing to take the job for the big law salary/prestige.

[Anonymous User]

I used to work at MoFo SF. Even before the pandemic, I recall numerous attorneys (ranging from first year associates to partners) regularly working from home. The attitude seemed to be that if you got your work done and were responsive, they really didn't care where you were during the day. It was pretty flexible then, so I can't imagine it will get more restrictive after the pandemic. Of course, my experience may be practice group specific.