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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

TROUBLE ON THE HOME FRONT –  There's no denying the pandemic has forced some positive and much-needed changes on many law firms, including improved efficiency and collaboration. But let's not start giving each other socially distanced air high fives just yet: As Andrew Maloney reports, a study by staffing firm Robert Half has found that, despite the pros of remote work, concerns have emerged this year over retention, burnout and morale. The report, released this month, was based on polling 2,800 U.S. senior managers in multiple industries, including law firms and in-house law departments, in July and August. While its findings weren't only specific to the legal industry, Jamy Sullivan, executive director for Robert Half Legal, said they align with trends they've seen for lawyers. "When you think of morale and the legal field over the last couple of years, we've seen burnout has increased," Sullivan said. "That has just been heightened due to the pandemic."

TOGETHER FOR THE BETTER  – Waiting for law firms to make meaningful progress on diversity can feel painfully slow. But what if it doesn't have to? As Patrick Smith reports, legal consultants are starting to get behind the notion that more large firms should be exploring mergers with women- and minority-owned boutiques, rather than trying to recruit diverse lawyers from the same handful of Ivy League schools year after year. In theory, it can be a win-win for both sides. "All these Am Law 200 firms want diversity, and firms love groups," said Merle Vaughn, managing director and national law firm diversity practice leader at legal recruiting giant Major, Lindsey & Africa. And the smaller firms on the other side of these combinations, she noted, "no longer have to deal with as many administrative issues" and will get the benefit of more marketing dollars and larger practice platforms. There are some downsides, however: "Smaller firms could be giving up what they were trying to do in the first place," Vaughn said. "You are giving up that independence, and you could give up the culture you created that was so important to the diverse attorneys that work there."

DERIVATIVE ACTION OVER DIVERSITY INACTION –  Cisco Systems is the latest Silicon Valley tech giant to face a shareholder derivative action aimed at the company's diversity record. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in California Northern District Court by Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd and AsherKelly, calls on Cisco to replace three current board members with racial minorities. The suit also demands that Cisco invest in social justice programs, educational opportunities and recruiting efforts to benefit African Americans. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendants. Read the full complaints and stay up to date on major litigation nationwide with Law.com's Legal Radar.

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Ginsburg's Clerks, Colleagues and Family Honor Her at the Supreme Court By Marcia Coyle