DLA Piper Mandates Increased Office Attendance for US Corporate Lawyers in New Hybrid Work Policy
Firm leadership cites collaboration and training needs, aligning with a broader industry shift away from fully remote work.
(New York, NY) – In a move that signals the ongoing evolution of post-pandemic work norms at major law firms, global legal giant DLA Piper has announced a new hybrid work policy requiring its U.S. corporate lawyers to be in the office a minimum of four days per week.
The new mandate, which was communicated to attorneys internally and is set to take effect after the U.S. Labor Day holiday in September, represents a significant increase from the firm’s previous baseline expectation of three days per week. The policy specifically targets lawyers within the firm’s corporate and transactional practices, including those working on mergers & acquisitions, securities, and private equity.
Rationale Behind the Stricter Policy
In a statement, firm leadership emphasized that the decision was driven by a need to foster mentorship, strengthen firm culture, and enhance the quality of collaboration on complex deals.
“Our practice is built on teamwork, hands-on training, and the spontaneous exchange of ideas that happens when we are together,” said a managing partner within the firm’s corporate group. “While we remain committed to providing flexibility where it makes sense, we believe a consistent and strong in-office presence is critical for serving our clients at the highest level and for the professional development of our junior associates.”
The policy aligns DLA Piper with a growing cohort of elite law firms, including Davis Polk & Wardwell and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, which have also implemented three or four-day per week mandates. The trend highlights the legal industry’s firm-wide push to roll back the widespread remote work flexibility that became standard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details of the New Mandate
According to internal sources, the four-day requirement will be the standard baseline for affected attorneys. The policy is understood to include built-in flexibility, allowing lawyers to work remotely for the fifth day and providing accommodations for specific circumstances, such as client meetings, closing dinners, or personal commitments. However, the default expectation will be a primary presence in the physical office.
The policy is reported to apply to lawyers across all seniority levels in the corporate department, from first-year associates to partners.
Industry Context and Reaction
The legal industry has been a central battleground in the debate over remote work. Many associates have vocally supported the flexibility and improved work-life balance offered by hybrid models. Conversely, firm leaders increasingly argue that intensive personal training and organic collaboration are suffering in a predominantly remote environment.
“This was inevitable for the practice of law,” said a legal recruiter who specializes in partner placements at top firms. “You can’t effectively mentor a new associate over Zoom. You can’t overhear a nuanced negotiation issue from a senior partner and jump in to help if you’re at home. For high-stakes, team-based work, the office is still seen as a vital tool.”
The reaction among DLA Piper lawyers has been mixed, according to sources. While some acknowledge the benefits of in-person work, others express concern about the impact on burnout, commuting, and overall quality of life.
The move is being closely watched across the industry as a bellwether for whether other major firms with similar three-day policies might follow suit and tighten their own requirements in the coming year.
About DLA Piper:
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. It is consistently ranked among the largest firms in the world by revenue and number of lawyers.