Practical strategies for lawyers rethinking their future in the wake of office mandates
Practical strategies for lawyers rethinking their future in the wake of office mandates
The return-to-office (RTO) wave is hitting BigLaw hard. Firms like Sidley, Skadden, and Paul Weiss have all rolled out mandates requiring attorneys to be in the office 3–4 days a week. For many lawyers - especially those who built a rhythm during remote or hybrid work - the change feels like a step backward and a fast track to burnout.
So what are attorneys doing in response? Whether you're managing BigLaw burnout, seeking more flexibility, or exploring remote-first legal careers, here are seven strategies that successful attorneys are using to navigate this new chapter:
If you're being asked to return, make it count. Many attorneys are using in-office days for high-impact engagement: client meetings, mentorship lunches, and cross-practice collaborations. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate value - and potentially negotiate more autonomy the rest of the week.
Example: Turn one in-office day into “relationship days” - using office time primarily for business development, visibility with partners, and mentoring junior associates.
Rather than resist return-to-office policies, high performers are shifting the narrative. They present tangible performance metrics - logged billables, positive client feedback, client outcomes - to refocus leadership on results instead of presence.
A mandate doesn’t mean the end of flexibility. Attorneys with strong internal credibility are successfully negotiating grace periods, hybrid arrangements, or exceptions for specific client matters.
Tip: Use language that centers clients and firm outcomes: “To best serve this matter and protect timelines, I’d recommend a hybrid structure for the next 60 days.”
Some attorneys aren’t challenging the return-to-office requirement itself - they’re improving the experience. They're pushing for quiet zones, better scheduling tools, or even shared workspaces with their team to reduce distractions and protect billable time.
Many lawyers are taking stock of their long-term goals. Some are choosing to adapt. Others are confronting the root issue: the return to office highlights misalignment with their values, priorities, or lifestyle. This moment is prompting some attorneys to seriously evaluate leaving BigLaw altogether.
Your client relationships are your greatest asset. Attorneys with even modest portable books of business are gaining negotiating power - whether inside their current firm or on the open market. Portable business means freedom.
Now is the time to cultivate your client base and make yourself indispensable - on your terms.
For attorneys seeking to maintain an elite legal practice without compromising autonomy or personal values, remote-first firms like Scale LLP offer a compelling alternative.
At Scale LLP, attorneys benefit from:
Return-to-office mandates are reshaping the legal profession - but they don’t have to reshape your values or your vision for how you want to practice law. Whether you're leveraging office time more strategically, renegotiating your terms, or considering a new model altogether, the most important move is one that aligns with your long-term goals.
If the new normal at your firm doesn’t reflect the future you want, it may be time to explore something different. At Scale LLP, attorneys are building thriving practices on their own terms - fully remote, highly collaborative, and uncompromising in quality.
Learn more about practicing law at the highest level - on your terms - at Scale LLP.
