Embracing Hybrid Work in the Legal Industry
Three factors distinguish firms with a standout hybrid work experience. Stock photo.
Law Firms, like most professional services organizations, have traditionally prioritized in-person work. The pandemic, however, accelerated the shift to remote work across the entire industry. Judges conducted virtual case proceedings, clients affixed e-signatures to documents securing their legal obligations and positions, and first-year associates had yet to see their desks.
While the transition was challenging, remote work revealed unexpected benefits. A recent study from the Harvard Business Review (HBR) finds the “increase in remote work stems not just from tangible benefits such as time and cost savings, but also from the simple fact that remote work has proven its viability in people’s own experiences.”1
Some of the biggest names in professional services – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte - have taken action to stay competitive. PwC, KPMG, and EY have all announced new programs offering flexibility in work scheduling and delivery. 2, 3, 4 This is true in the Legal industry as well. According to the MyCase 2021 Legal Industry Report, 70% of Law Firms will allow part-time remote work for their lawyers and staff.5
According to the HBR study, “86 percent of survey respondents agree that the digital workplace must integrate and coexist with the physical workplace for the foreseeable future.” Getting that integration right is key to driving productivity, collaboration, and client and employee satisfaction. It’s time to start making the shift to hybrid work.
“More than three-quarters of respondents (77%) agree that a digital workplace is essential to operating a data-driven business.”
Considering Digital Choreography
I like to think about this mission through the concept of, what one client termed, Digital Choreography (DC). DC refers to how technology and data are connected across different stakeholders to serve different needs with maximum efficiency. This is especially important in professional services where the flow of information is critical to success.
The Harvard Business Review report notes that “organizations that have a digital workplace strategy are consistently more likely to see greater returns from their investments in all dimensions than those that don’t.”
Creating an exceptional experience
In my work with professional services firms, three factors distinguish those with a standout hybrid work experience.
- 1. They focus on people: Instead of thinking in terms of technical specifications, start with how you want to empower employees and clients and choose technologies that support the desired outcome. For example, a modern device is critical to improving the employee experience. In the world of Hybrid Work, the Surface portfolio enables attorneys and staff to perform their best.
2. They think ahead: During the pandemic, some organizations chose to buy point solutions to meet urgent needs. This resulted in a hodgepodge of solutions that are difficult to manage and don’t always work well together. Microsoft Art of the Possible events can help you imagine what hybrid work could look like in five years, not five weeks.
3. They provide agile support: When people work from anywhere, the way they access technical support changes significantly. Meeting client expectations means effective support needs to be accessible whenever and wherever it’s needed. 79% of customers are now willing to work remotely with a lawyer6 – does your firm have the right tools to capitalize on this shift?
Empowering your company and clients with solutions built for hybrid work
Through digital choreography and a strategic approach to hybrid work, Microsoft solutions (including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Surface) can empower your organization to thrive with integrated technology, human-centric experiences, and constant innovation.
I’m excited by all the ways our technology can help your team thrive in a hybrid world.
Patrick Connally, PhD
US Professional Services Industry Director, Microsoft
[1] Deliver the best remote working experience, Verizon, 2021.
[2] PwC announces new flexible work deal for employees, PwC, 2021.
[3] KPMG unveils the ‘four-day fortnight’ for 16,000 staff, KPMG, 2021.
[4] EY confirms move to hybrid working model, EY, 2021.
[5]Black, N. (n.d.). (rep.). 2021 Legal Industry Report - Lessons Learned From The Pandemic. MyCase. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.abajournal.com/files/MyCase_2021-Industry-Report.pdf.
[6] Clio. (2021). (rep.). Legal Trends Report. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.clio.com/resources/legal-trends/2021-report/read-online/.
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