As businesses prepare for a return to normal operations, legal services in demand
We have all been anticipating a return to normal in our business and personal lives. As stay-at-home orders lift and restrictions ease, law firms should prepare for a demand for services.
While we know that our communities won’t operate in full “business as usual” mode, an easing of restrictions will allow many of us to resume a more normal schedule. For independent lawyers, that means planning for the remainder of 2020 and preparing for market needs.
Law services in demand
While some sectors have had to halt operations during the pandemic, many clients continue to need legal services. As Law.com reports, certain industries have reported an increased need for legal services in light of Covid-19 activity:
“Industries and practice areas with a strong need for contract attorneys and paralegals right now include health care and hospital networks, financial services, insurance, purchasing of technology services and food suppliers.”
In addition, technology companies have experienced an uptick in usage, which has also uncovered gaps in their legal coverage. Privacy concerns, new regulations and more will continue to impact technology providers throughout 2020 and beyond.
Lawyers who can meet the needs of these clients will have no shortage of work.
For lawyers who deliver services to individuals, consumers reported in a Clio survey that their perception of the industry remains favorable:
“…public perception of lawyers remains positive: 78% say they consider lawyers to be an essential service, and 20% say they consider lawyers to be more relevant now than before the pandemic.”
While firms that serve individual clients have seen a dip in demand during Covid-19, many should expect more calls in the months ahead.
Resuming operations
Lawyers preparing to take on a higher volume of work following stay-at-home orders should plan to conduct business virtually whenever possible. If you haven’t invested in technology to streamline online client communications, make that a priority.
Many of us will also return to our offices and coworking spaces, and we welcome the promise of working alongside our colleagues and peers again. While some social distancing requirements might remain in place, returning to our workplaces will bring a needed sense of normalcy.
For many of us, that office time supports our best work flow, creativity and innovation. Exchanging ideas with others in our field brings us out of isolation and allows us to do our best work.
Each office location will need to create a workplace safety protocol that follows local and state guidelines, and many organizations have published considerations for how businesses should proceed with reopening. PwC, for example, counsels that:
“Once it’s possible to reopen offices, factories and distribution centers, management teams will face the challenge of keeping them safe. New protocols for deep cleaning and sanitization may be needed. It could also mean changes to the layout of the workspace, such as moving workstations farther apart or changing employee schedules to reduce the number of people in buildings at one time.”
Large law firms may need to create shifts that allow employees to alternate time in the office with remote work, for example. Firms and independent practitioners will also need to consider when to meet with clients face-to-face and when to conduct meetings virtually.
Our take
Throughout these transitions, LawBank will be here to serve members and clients. We will continue to create a vibrant community where lawyers can network, exchange ideas and referrals, and connect to keep business moving forward. Working together, our Denver law community will navigate the new normal and find solutions that meet the needs of our industry and our clients.
To learn more about our law firm real estate solutions for small law firms and large law firms, contact us.
