Law firms also fear that professionalism, dedication and client service will suffer if the office is left unattended for any period of time. For example, offices that still resist telecommuting view it as time out of the office and away from work. Yet, there exists a great deal of information and research available to demonstrate that telecommuters generally work more because the work environment is more easily accessible. Telecommuters often generate more money for the firm. Client service doesn t suffer because clients generally deal with their lawyers on the phone, by fax, and increasingly by e-mail.
Similar results are achievable in law practices.
Of course, scheduled appearances such as court hearings, depositions and so on simply have to be covered, but usually they can be scheduled at convenient times. Deadlines are known well enough in advance to allow them to be met. These days, depositions are taken by telephone or video conferencing, which can be done from home or on vacation. Hearings are done by telephone appearance. Recall that every lawyer on the team was hired because the practice believed they would be a contributor, represent clients well, generate revenue and profits.