US law firm launches formal remote work program for lawyers

Phoenix-founded law firm Fennemore Craig has launched Fennemore Forward, a new formal program allowing lawyers to work remotely from locations without physical offices, aiming to enhance talent recruitment and retention through increased flexibility.

The initiative makes Fennemore Craig one of the few traditionally brick-and-mortar firms to offer full-time alternatives to in-person work, according to a report by Reuters.

"We think other firms are making a huge mistake by requiring everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to come into the office," said James Goodnow, CEO and president of Fennemore. "Frankly, we want to take advantage of that."

Since the pandemic, many law firms have retained some level of work-from-home flexibility. However, most have moved away from allowing fully remote work, citing concerns that it can erode attorney mentoring and client service. According to an April report by the Thomson Reuters Institute, 56 percent of respondents said their firms require lawyers to come in at least three days per week. The data included 350 responses from 105 US law firms.

Fennemore Craig's new program, dubbed Fennemore Forward, currently includes 53 remote employees, comprising 18 lawyers and 35 legal professionals. These employees include those who previously worked at the firm but have since moved to cities without physical offices. Goodnow emphasized that there will be no difference in compensation based solely on lawyers' remote or in-person status.

Chris Wilson, the program's director, explained that Fennemore Forward will primarily recruit senior attorneys at the partner level with sufficient business books to support themselves. He anticipates the program will include between 50 and 100 remote lawyers after a few years. Wilson highlighted the program's robust support system for remote workers as a key differentiator from fully virtual or "distributed" firms. Remote lawyers will have access to Fennemore's physical offices and events, providing remote flexibility and in-person resources.

Fennemore Craig is not alone in offering a fully remote option. Midwest-founded national firm Husch Blackwell launched a virtual "office" in July 2020, allowing participants to "work from the location that makes the most sense for the individual." This program has grown from around 50 lawyers and staff to over 700 people, including nearly 230 lawyers. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a 1,000-lawyer litigation firm, adopted a policy in December 2021 allowing its U.S. lawyers to "work from anywhere" indefinitely.

Andrew Rossman, co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel's New York office, stated that their remote program has been successful, with "well in excess" of 50 lawyers currently participating.

The early pandemic era saw a significant boost to virtual firms, where most or all lawyers primarily practice remotely. Wilson, a corporate and finance attorney who joined Fennemore a year ago to spearhead its remote program, previously held roles at virtual or hybrid firms Taylor English Duma and FisherBroyles.