Big Law’s preference for in-office work grew over the course of 2021. And barring another delta-style surge in COVID-19 cases, more firms are slated to implement some version of office returns in early 2022. Against that backdrop, might firms put more pressure on their people to come back when the calendar flips?

Some legal industry analysts say while firms are generally reluctant to force people back into the office at all right now, they could become more adamant about it next year, citing high vaccine uptake, concerns about cultural and development issues, and unforeseen challenges in having different people in and out of the office.