Reed Smith Direct Employees To Work Remotely

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with no end in sight, a growing number of law firms on Friday announced plans to have the vast majority of their lawyers and staff begin working remotely. Reports Law.com

Reed Smith’s workforce began working remotely Friday, according to a firm spokesperson. On Monday, lawyers and staff at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Schiff Hardin and Weil, Gotshal & Manges will also begin working remotely en masse—or in Weil’s case, in shifts. Other firms, such as Buckley, are enacting “optional” remote-work plans.

The five firms have more 3,800 lawyers between them, not including staff, according to ALM data. Spokespeople for each of the firms said none of their employees have tested positive for the coronavirus.

“With the uncertainty and the rapidly evolving situation around the COVID-19 outbreak, Reed Smith has decided to take additional preventative steps to protect our people, our clients and the firm’s business continuity,” a Reed Smith spokesperson said.

Reed Smith and Pillsbury said their offices will remain open and manned by skeleton staff. Weil is taking a different approach—the firm is dividing its lawyers and staff into two groups, who will alternate working from home on a weekly basis. The firm is doing this so as to “reduce the number of people spending time together in close contact,” Weil said.