Now that the COVID-19 omicron variant seems to be tapering off, Biglaw firms are really looking forward to things getting back to normal — and in this case, that means heading back to the office. Yet again, we have a top law firm inviting associates back to the office without word on matching the new Milbank salary scale.
Earlier this week, Simpson Thacher & Barlett, a firm that’s in the top 20 of the Am Law 100 (No. 14, to be exact), notified associates that they’d be due back in the office on March 14. Associates are expected to spend three to four days each week in the office, on average, starting next month. Sources we’ve heard from didn’t exactly seem thrilled about this plan.
The firm, however, is focusing on the flexibility of its hybrid model, and will be offering several remote blocks throughout the year. Here’s an excerpt from the Simpson Thacher memo (available on the next page):
We want to reinforce our support for the ongoing need for flexibility by announcing we will be “Remote First” during certain periods this year including the month of August, the week of Thanksgiving and the last two weeks of the year. During that time our regular in-person schedule will be suspended. The office will remain open for those who prefer to work from there or for those whose client work requires it.
We certainly hope that by the time those remote weeks roll around, the firm will have adopted the soon-to-be prevailing Biglaw salary scale.
(Flip to the next page to read the Simpson Thacher memo in full.)
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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.
