More than two years into the pandemic, and with the vast majority of lawyers and staff vaccinated, law firms appear to have learned to deal with COVID-19 surges with less disruption.

The omicron variant has forced dozens of law firms to either halt their plans for hybrid work or (again) delay a return to the office. But firms are taking varying approaches. Some hold the belief, supported by data, that the surge is likely to peak later in January and recede quickly as it did in South Africa. Others, burned too many times by the COVID uncertainty, are opting not to set a date at all.