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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

REPRESENTATION AND REPERCUSSION – As we've noted plenty in this space recently, law firms are feeling an unprecedented amount of heat for taking on divisive clients and cases. And the threat of bad PR having an actual business impact on those firms seems more real now than ever. That doesn't necessarily mean they should shy away from those engagements—but it does mean they should be ready to deal with the fallout. In this week's Law.com Trendspotter column, the second of a two-parter, we look at the potential negative effect client controversy can have on a firm's bottom line. But we'll also examine whether and to what extent firms should worry about that risk and what they can do to mitigate it. 

TIME + DISTANCE = TIPS – When it comes to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, distance is not necessarily making employees' hearts grow fonder. The Securities and Exchange Commission reported a record-setting number of tips this fiscal year, with a "particularly high number" funneling in between April and June, C. Ryan Barber reports. Whistleblower lawyers say the work-from-home environment has given workers the emotional and physical distance needed to consider coming forward with misconduct. But some of the uptick might also be attributed to misuse of coronavirus relief funding.

TOO SOON – Some law firms are putting their plans to return to the office on ice and urging workers to stay home as COVID-19 cases spike across the country, Dan Packel reports. Haynes & Boone told staff and lawyers to only come into the office if it's absolutely necessary through Dec. 9, and Dentons is considering making working in-person strictly optional into 2021. Dentons is also asking any employees that elect to travel over the holidays to stay out of the office for 14 days upon their return.

EDITOR'S PICKS

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