Editor’s note: This is the final in a three-part series on what separates the top-performing law firms from their competition. The first part focused on strategic plans and managing to a high-performance culture, and the second focused on profitability, partner compensation and culture. 

For law firms that previously considered shrinking their physical footprints, the past year offered an unexpected chance to test out more flexible work arrangements. And the results were often better than anyone could have expected.