Law Firm Face Time Still Required, Even in WiFi Era
Despite all the advantages that a state-of-the-art laptop, wireless Internet service and a cell phone can offer, there’s one thing that an associate working remotely for a law firm can’t accomplish. Face time.
And, archaic though it might seem to some, the notion that an associate should be sitting at his or her desk, at least seemingly hard at work, during normal business hours, is still commonly held by partners at many law firms, reports Texas Lawyer, in an article reprinted by New York Lawyer (reg. req.). The legal publication bases this claim on an admittedly unscientific survey of attorneys at Texas firms.
The traditional expectation that a hardworking associate will be not infrequently seen at the office over the weekend may have relaxed a bit. But then, too, it’s important for an associate to show the flag.
“It is imperative that new associates be present in the office during normal business hours so they can meet other lawyers, obtain work and start forming relationships,” Texas Lawyer explains. “If an associate is not sitting in her office when a partner comes by to give an assignment, the partner will move on to the next associate.”
While losing an assignment isn’t the end of the world, losing the opportunity to build relationships with partners is crucial.
“By working in the office, the associate has the opportunity to be seen and become respected by the partners—both as a person and as an employee,” the article explains. “These personal relationships simply cannot be built remotely and are critical to one’s career.”
A smart associate can manage his or her personal time effectively by finding out when the partner in charge of the current project plans to be in the office over the weekend. The associate should strive to arrive a few minutes earlier, and feel free to leave shortly after the partner departs.
“Virtual” face time, though, can be acceptable for weekend work, so long as the partner believes the associate is available and working diligently, or at least ready to do so, the article advises. “Sometimes, just offering to work from home over the weekend will do the trick.”
