Minneapolis-based Faegre Baker Daniels finalized its merger with Philadelphia’s Drinker Biddle & Reath on Feb. 1, creating a new, national mega firm just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in the United States.

Now—during a period experts say is critical for the success of any merger—the newly combined partnership is forgoing a sizable portion of its expected compensation, while lawyers and staff from the two halves of the firm remain physically isolated from their new colleagues.