Big Law Goes Remote: Updates on Law Firm Closures During the Coronavirus Crisis

Editor’s note: This list is being updated as we get word from other firms. It includes firms that have mandated or encouraged remote work for all or some of its offices. 

Adams and Reese

Beginning March 18, the firm is encouraging all personnel who can perform their work from home to do so. All offices will remain open for normal business hours.

Akerman

The firm said Tuesday it ”has transitioned to remote distance practicing to ensure our ability to seamlessly support our clients while protecting our employees’ health and well-being, and supporting our communities’ efforts to implement social distancing.”

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Akin Gump, which has hired an epidemiologist to guide it through navigating the coronavirus pandemic, has kept its offices accessible, but all employees have been “strongly encouraged” to work from home. The firm said all employees have the technology needed to work remotely.

Allen & Overy

The Magic Circle firm said it is “strongly encouraging” its London-based partners and other staff “to take advantage of its existing flexible working arrangements to work from home for the next few weeks in response to the spread of COVID-19,″ according to a statement.

Ashurst

The firm is following advice from governments in all jurisdictions, and teams are ready to work remotely if the relevant government suggests this, global managing partner Paul Jenkins said in a statement.

The Australian offices of U.K.-based Ashurst remain open although many lawyers are working from home.

Baker Botts

Effective March 16, Baker Botts gave lawyers and staff the option of working remotely from home.  Also, lawyers and staff in the firm’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices are now required to work from home.

Baker & Hostetler

BakerHostetler has implemented a firmwide remote-work policy, with the “overwhelming majority” of its people now working remotely. The firm has closed its Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle offices, per government directives. The rest of its offices remain open with reduced (and sometimes staggered) staffing to support office functions that cannot be performed remotely.

Baker McKenzie

The global firm has closed its U.S. and Toronto offices until at least March 27.

Bass Berry & Sims

According to managing partner Todd Rolapp, Bass Berry & Sims triggered its work from home plan Monday. “Anyone who can effectively work from home is being asked to work from home, and that is by and large all the lawyers,” Rolapp said. A group of core staff and business professionals continues to work in the office to perform necessary functions there.

Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann

Physical offices are closed and the entire firm is working remotely.

Blank Rome

According to a March 16 client alert: “Beginning today, we are encouraging all attorneys and professionals across our 14 offices to work remotely for the next two weeks. Additionally, our Philadelphia office is officially closed as of 5 p.m. ET today and all attorneys and professionals will be working remotely, following city officials’ announcement halting all non-essential operations.”

Boies Schiller Flexner

Over the weekend of March 13 and 14, and in accordance with government guidelines, the firm instituted a working from home policy for the majority of its offices, which applies to its lawyers, paralegals and staff. It retains a core staff in most offices, who are on rotation, to provide support for those working remotely, except in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is subject to shelter in place rules.

Bracewell

In a written statement, Bracewell managing partner Gregory Bopp said all offices are “open and fully functioning,” but the firm instituted a voluntary remote work policy for lawyers and staff in all offices through March 31.

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

CEO Joseph Dougherty said in a statement Tuesday that all offices had switched to work from home status.

Burns White

The firm said March 16 that its offices are closed and its lawyers and staff are working remotely through at least March 30.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

Cadwalader has urged all lawyers and staff across all of its offices to work from home effective March 17 until further notice.

Clark Hill

A statement from the firm said: “We have urged all attorneys, paralegals, and operational employees to work remotely in order to continue to prioritize the health and safety of our people, clients, and contacts. For those instances where in-office staffing is needed for critical functions, we have implemented a social distancing strategy. Our offices are staffed with only those personnel needed to ensure the continuity of necessary and critical work functions.”

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

The firm is encouraging remote work.

CMS

The firm is encouraging people to work from home but majority of the firm’s offices remain open.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance has recommended that its staff work from home, though its offices remain open for the time being, a spokesperson for the firm said.

Cozen O’Connor

All employees may choose to work remotely through March 27. The firm said in an email to employees: “We will revisit this timeline as events unfold. To be clear, we are not closing any offices or stopping any operations. We are instead giving you the choice to do what makes you and your family most comfortable in this unprecedented time.”

Cravath, Swaine & Moore

Cravath has strongly asked all lawyers and staff to work from home, but its offices remain open for those who absolutely need access.

Davis Wright Tremaine

All offices have instituted remote work as of March 16. The firm closed its offices in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, after a longtime staffer went home with flu-like symptoms last week and died two days later. On March 16, the firm announced that the deceased staffer tested negative for coronavirus.

Dechert

Dechert sent a memo March 13 to “encourage all personnel to work from home on a full-time basis,” effective immediately, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Its offices are still operating with reduced staff.

Dentons

A firm statement said: “As we continue to fully serve clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have shifted operations in a number of more than 180 offices worldwide to a remote working status ensuring business continuity.  In the U.S., attentive to the Presidential declaration of a COVID-19 national emergency, our offices remain open following best practices for essential business, while we have activated our remote working continuity plan so that our people are continuing to serve clients.”

Dickinson Wright

Dickinson Wright said Monday that it will to close all 18 of its office locations, effective Tuesday. CEO Michael Hammer said in a statement: “We recognize the urgency of this pandemic, and our commitment to the safety of our clients and personnel remains paramount.”

DLA Piper

DLA Piper has instituted remote working in all of its U.S. and Canada offices and in various other locations across the world.

Dykema Gossett

Starting Tuesday, Dykema began operating with attorneys, policy advisors and staff working remotely, Chairman and CEO Peter Kellett said in a message to clients on the firm’s website.

Eversheds Sutherland

U.S., U.K., continental Europe and Middle East employees have been asked to work remotely “wherever possible,” with offices remaining operational and staffed by “core support teams” unless forbidden by local authorities. The moves are in addition to any government-mandated closures in effect in other jurisdictions.

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath

After a one-day shutdown March 10 due to a coronavirus scare, the firm reopened. But on March 16, the firm said it asked its personnel to work remotely through at least March 31.

Fieldfisher

The firm is encouraging remote work.

Foley & Lardner

Foley & Lardner is encouraging all who have the ability to work from home to do so to minimize the number of people in offices. When team members remain in the offices, the firm is taking precautions including enhanced cleaning and practicing social distancing. The firm is also complying with applicable shelter-in-place requirements.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson

Fried Frank has strongly urged its attorneys and business professionals to work remotely.

Haynes and Boone

As of March 19 Baker Botts instituted a work from home policy for all lawyers and professional staff. Offices are open with minimal staffing needed to support operations.

Herbert Smith Freehills

None of the firm’s offices are formally closed except in jurisdictions required by law, but the vast majority of staff are working remotely and remote working systems are working smoothly, the firm says.

In Asia, HSF teams had been working remotely since January and that has followed over the last few weeks in Europe, the U.S. and the rest of the world. In London, a core team continues to work in the office to maintain essential services but the firm says it is ready for full closure if necessary. 

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells’ offices in Brussels, Los Angeles, Milan, Perth, Philadelphia, Rome, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Sydney are closed for business due to government decrees, “shelter in place” directives, and emergency orders. The firm is recommending the majority of its employees globally work remotely.

Katten Muchin Rosenman

On March 17, Katten began a remote work environment in all offices for the foreseeable future, according to a memo sent by firm CEO Noah S. Heller to all firm personnel. During this time, personnel will be able to access offices only in cases of essential, client-related matters. The firm also has designated skeleton crews in each office who will be available remotely for assistance.

King & Spalding

King & Spalding has told all of its staff to work from home for a period of two weeks, but has stopped short of closing its offices, according to a person close to the matter, with staff still  able to go in if needed. In London, the firm has also launched a COVID-19 working group and has set up a rota for secretarial support, the person said. Fee-earners have been asked to use the firm’s virtual private network, while secretaries will use a “virtual desktop.”

Kramer Levin

Kramer Levin is having its lawyers and staff in New York City, its biggest office, work from home, according to an email it sent clients Monday morning. “In response to new guidance issued by government authorities encouraging social distancing in an effort to reduce rates of transmission of the virus, Kramer Levin is implementing a temporary work-from-home program in the New York office, effective immediately,” the firm said. “We believe taking this step will keep our people safe while maximizing our ability to service our clients’ needs.”

Latham & Watkins

The firm’s offices remain open in all locations except where there is a nationwide lockdown, Latham said, adding that “the vast majority of our lawyers and professional staff are working remotely.”

Linklaters

Linklaters has moved its London workforce to remote working for at least two weeks. The office will remain open during the period, and a small team will “continue to operate… to maintain essential client services,” according to a spokesperson for the firm.

McDermott Will & Emery

A spokesperson said March 17 that McDermott’s offices remain operational but all lawyers and professional staff have been asked to work remotely until at least March 29.

Miller Canfield

Effective March 16 and until further notice, substantially all of Miller Canfield’s attorneys and staff in its 18 offices have converted to work-from-home status, with exceptions for core office support services.

Morrison & Foerster

According to a spokesperson, the firm moved to a remote work environment for all U.S. and European offices starting Friday, March 13, though offices remain open. This will continue until at least the end of March.

Munck Wilson Mandala

Munck Wilson Mandala is encouraging all who have the ability to work from home to do so to minimize the number of people in offices. When team members remain in the offices, the firm is taking precautions including enhanced cleaning and practicing social distancing. The firm is also complying with applicable shelter-in-place requirements, state by state and nationally. The firm’s remote capabilities are secure and all work is business as usual.

Osborne Clark

The firm is encouraging remote work.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw & Pittman

Many are working remotely, but offices will remain open and manned by skeleton staff.

Paul Hastings

The firm said March 17 that it had asked lawyers and professional staff to work remotely. Paul Hastings has 22 offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Reed Smith

Reed Smith’s workforce began working remotely March 13, according to a firm spokeswoman. Offices will remain open and manned by a “skeleton staff.”

Robinson+Cole

The firm has activated its business continuity plan and has “fully migrated to operating remotely.”

Schiff Hardin

The firm announced March 13 that the majority of its lawyers and staff would be working remotely beginning March 16, until at least March 27. But, it added, “All of the firm’s offices will stay open for essential business support functions.”

Seward & Kissel

The firm said in a statement: “In an effort to reduce rates of transmission of the virus, Seward & Kissel has implemented a temporary remote working program. Although we won’t all be physically present in our offices, we have tested our remote access tools and our business continuity procedures are in place to ensure our business operations remain fully functional. We believe taking this step will keep our people safe, while maximizing our ability to service our clients’ needs without interruption.”

Sheppard Mullin

As of March 23, all offices are working remotely.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Shook moved all offices to a remote working environment as of Monday, March 16.

Slaughter and May

In a statement, the firm said that it has asked staff to work from home “where feasible to reduce overall numbers of people in the office and traveling to work.” The statement continues: “Our teams are well set up to work remotely and our office remains open. These arrangements will apply initially until Friday, April 3, and we will keep the situation under review.”

Snell & Wilmer

Effective March 19, Snell & Wilmer closed all firm offices and moved to a remote work model. The closure is in effect through April 17, but could be adjusted in either direction depending on the circumstances.

Squire Patton Boggs

Remote work is encouraged. The firm said in a statement: “All of our offices remain open during this time and will be staffed by a small team of employees deemed essential to operations. While we encourage everyone to work from home, we recognize that each market in which we operate is different, as are people’s personal circumstances. Those employees who wish to come to the office are therefore free to do so. A number of our offices around the world have either already implemented remote working programs or put into place other measures deemed necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our personnel.”

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan

The firm said in a statement: “As we continue to play our part in the larger community, Stroock, like a number of Am Law firms, has enacted full-time remote working. All attorneys, paralegals and staff who can work remotely have been encouraged to do so. Rest assured that every Stroock attorney and paralegal has the technology necessary to work remotely. We remain open for business and all of our offices will remain staffed by a skeleton crew so that necessary critical depositions, closings and other important meetings that cannot be postponed can be held.”

Sullivan & Worcester

According to a March 16 announcement, the firm has moved to a mandatory remote work environment, and eliminated all in-person meetings. Client meetings will be held via teleconference or video conference. The firm has also restricted all international travel and all non-essential domestic travel.

Taylor Wessing

Up to 40 Taylor Wessing employees are in self-isolation after an employee in the firm’s Frankfurt office tested positive for coronavirus. According to a spokesperson for the firm, the employee is in self-isolation after having had a mild reaction to the illness, but is recovering well. People who shared the floor this person worked on are in self-isolation and that floor is being cleaned. But the other floors the firm has in that building in Frankfurt remain open.

Thompson & Knight

Thompson & Knight has initiated a remote work policy that will apply to lawyers and staff in all offices beginning on Monday and continuing through March 31. The firm’s nine offices will remain open with reduced reception and office services staff who will work on a rotating basis. The offices remain open for lawyers who need to come into the office to work.

Vinson & Elkins

Chair Mark Kelly said Vinson & Elkins has instituted a remote work policy across all of its global offices.

Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby

The firm said in a statement: “At this time, we are in the process of implementing a phased shut down of most of our offices due to various directives we have received from state and local governments. As this is put into place, all of our personnel will be immediately shifted to full remote access. For clients and others outside our offices, there should be no noticeable difference in access to our staff and the services we routinely provide.”

Weil, Gotshal & Manges

After initially dividing its lawyers and staff into two groups, who alternated working from home on a weekly basis, Weil Gotshal said Monday that as of Tuesday all personnel are encouraged to work from home.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher

All personnel, firmwide, are to work remotely until further notice. A spokesperson for the firm said: “Our lawyers and staff are fully prepared to work remotely accessing systems with the same levels of security and availability as they would from the office.”

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr

In a message from its co-leaders Monday, the firm said that while its offices remain open, the firm has “strongly encouraged” lawyers and staff to work from home, noting the firm’s tech systems are capable of handling such a move.