In early April, the 40-plus litigation partners at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett got together in-person for the first time in three years at the firm’s New York office at a one-day retreat complete with a full-department lunch and a partner dinner in the evening. Lynn Neuner and Jonathan Youngwood, the co-chairs of the practice, say the event had a family reunion kind of vibe, since many in the room hadn’t been together in years.

“Having everyone face-to-face was super encouraging of the esprit de corps — that we’re all in this together,” says Neuner, who took on the role of co-chair of the 250-lawyer practice at the turn of the year. “We’re co-owners of the business. We’re all pulling in the same direction. And I think it was a really fantastic opportunity for the partners to get together and not only plan our business, but reconnect personally.”