How to Love Remote Work

By Sahmra A. Stevenson and Jonathan M. Bogues

Sahmra A. Stevenson is the founder of S.A. Stevenson Law Offices, Office Without Walls and Wills On Wheels, Inc., with offices located in Columbia, Maryland. Ms. Stevenson also provides her services to clients as a transformation and mindset coach. Jonathan M. Bogues is a real estate and non-profit attorney at Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Historically, the practice of law has been an office-based profession. After all, that is where the equipment necessary for efficient practice was located, from the typewriter, to the word processor, to desktop computers networked to high-efficiency printers and scanners. As a profession, the legal field has been slow to adopt new technologies and practices, and many aspects of the practice of law remain unchanged (e.g., civil procedure, billable hours). Over the past decade, the rapid evolution of technology has made it possible for attorneys to work in places other than traditional offices (for example, continuing to service clients while on vacation by accessing email from a smartphone). This evolution has accelerated in the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many firms and attorneys that had not previously considered remote work to adopt and embrace remote work. Because this switch to remote work occurred on an emergency basis, without the benefit of advanced planning or consideration, many firms and attorneys have transitioned to remote work on an individual trial-and-error basis, with each individual figuring out what works best for her. Adoption of remote work during the pandemic has empowered many attorneys to recognize the benefits of remote work, however, and to incorporate those benefits into their practices more permanently. For example, one of the authors of this article was able to use enhanced remote work capability to be able to attend the Section’s Fall Leadership Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, in person while simultaneously negotiating final deal points with landlord’s counsel from Baltimore, Maryland, for a commercial lease of a site in Raleigh, North Carolina. The author now travels like never before because of the ability to work on the road. Building on the experience of teams who made the transition to remote work intentionally (i.e., prior to the pandemic), this article distills such experience into advice for those who are interested in making remote work part of their practices permanently, with simple techniques that every individual can adopt and adapt to his own specific needs.

Flex Your Routine for Mental and Physical Health

Lawyers constitute a very diverse group, in terms of our demographics, our practice areas, and our personalities. Not only do our practices have different demands and routines, but how we work differs based on our personalities, preferences, and life experiences. One of the challenges of adapting to remote work is that there is no cookiecutter methodology that works for every individual: Flexibility is key. For example, one attorney may be an early bird, doing her best work before others have started the day; while another might be a night owl, doing his best work in the midnight hours, after the phone has stopped ringing and emails during the traditional business day have stopped. Working remotely can be a prime growth opportunity, as well as an opportunity to flex one’s routine. Flexing a routine allows one to schedule appropriately and rank tasks and responsibilities for a suitable time.

Start small. Attorneys should start small by adding something different once or twice a week to their daily routines. For instance, one can start by taking an online fitness class during a break, incorporating a daily walk to get some fresh air and sunlight, or any other productive self-care activities that attorneys may not have time to do with traditional work schedules and office environments.

Keep track. To be the most productive working remotely, attorneys should keep track of what works best for them. If a certain self-care activity such as yoga or meditation allows the lawyer to produce her best work, then the lawyer should revisit those activities and incorporate them into daily or weekly routines. But lawyers should not limit themselves to just those activities and should not be afraid to explore similar or ancillary activities.

Flex with confidence.

A lawyer should not feel guilty about taking part in activities that allow the lawyer to be at his best while working remotely. So long as the lawyer is meeting his work requirements, is productive, and produces quality work, the lawyer should continue to participate in these activities. This is the new normal, and many employers even encourage this type of activity to boost employee morale and mental health while working remotely and being limited in traditional inoffice social interactions.

Always Be a Learner

Working remotely does not mean one can stop pushing himself to be a better lawyer. Continue to learn more about the practice area or other practice areas. Our in-person social interactions have been limited during the pandemic, and we often suffer from “Zoom fatigue.” Still, the widespread adoption of virtual platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, RingCentral, BeaconLive, and others, during the pandemic has allowed us to connect with clients and other professionals from all over the globe and across several time zones as if we were all in the same room. Staying up to date with technology and learning the best way to use these virtual platforms provide an opportunity to distinguish oneself with clients and colleagues. Learning about the latest technological advances can help add value for clients and firms. Further, investing in the new remote environment can help one put her best (virtual) foot forward in connecting with both current and prospective clients. Some employers provide a stipend or reimbursement for equipment to help succeed while working remotely; if this is the case the lawyer should take advantage of this opportunity to obtain equipment to provide seamless remote service, such as a second monitor, a printer-scanner combination, or a ring light.

Stay in Touch with Your Why

We all went to law school and became lawyers for a purpose: basically our “why” for wanting to practice law. Our whys are all different, whether it’s to make a difference and provide quality legal service in our communities, to leave a legacy for our families, or to make significant amounts of money, all of which are legitimate “whys.” However, our whys may have been overlooked or forgotten over time and in our daily grinds. It can be easy to go through the motions every day, and to lose touch with what motivated us in the first place. This may be even more true during a pandemic. The tips below will help one stay in touch with his why:

Develop morning rituals or mantras. Developing a morning ritual or mantra helps set the tone for the day as well as increase focus and productivity.

Practice curiosity and ask questions. This will allow one to continually grow and reach new levels in her career.

Spend time in nature and exercise. This will allow one to break the monotony in his daily routine and break up the daily grind. Take a pause and breathe. This will allow the lawyer to take a moment to reconnect to her why during stressful, chaotic times.

Keep a journal and take inventory of wins, both big and small. We can all use a little reassurance and reminders of why during the ups and downs of our careers.

Keep Connected

Working remotely can have negative effects on our social lives, and we can easily fall into isolation traps and mundane daily routines. Here are few things a lawyer can do to stay connected:

Make a call list and use it. Check in with one’s social circle and loved ones regularly. Your social circle may be feeling disconnected and out of touch.

Schedule Zoom coffee, lunch dates, and other social events. While we may be suffering from “Zoom fatigue,” it is still imperative that we stay connected with others who may also work remotely.

Schedule in-person work dates with other remote professionals. There may be other remote workers who are also feeling disconnected. This may serve as an opportunity to create a support group for each other. To the extent everyone is comfortable, set up a lunch, coffee date, or happy hour for other remote workers who may not have social interactions with their offices.

Get out of the house (or work space) and into nature. As previously mentioned, getting out into nature and breaking the monotony of the daily grind can allow one to reconnect with one’s purpose; if the lawyer invites a friend or colleague to join him it can provide that purpose for both, and allow both to keep connected. If one is unable to have a friend or colleague join him in nature in person, call that person as casually strolling in one’s neighborhood; it can do wonders for morale and overall well-being. Let people know when you’re feeling lonely. Do not hesitate to reach out to others when feeling lonely or isolated. Friends and loved ones will understand and be there for you in your time of need. Others are likely feeling the same way, or have felt this way at some point over the last two years, and have craved social interaction at some point.

Check in with yourself and take breaks regularly. Even without the added layer of practicing law during a public health emergency, we are all aware of the stresses and rigors of the legal profession under normal circumstances. Therefore, be patient and give yourself grace, as we have all had to adapt and cope with additional stressors during the pandemic.

Seek New Perspectives

Working remotely can involve the same daily routines, and new perspectives may not be as readily available as in a traditional office setting. However, seeking new perspectives allows us to step out of our comfort zones, take a step back, and see things objectively, which better enables us to solve problems. In its essence, the practice of law is a problem-solving exercise: Clients call us with problems, and it is our job to solve them. Different perspectives can be key to solving problems. Intentionally diversify your perspectives each day by seeking out new connections and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Engage in pro bono, bar association, or other passion projects.

Working from home may leave you with more free time, by decreasing your commute time or time getting ready each day. This may be the right time to engage in pro bono work and get more involved with the American Bar Association, your state bar, or local bar associations. Also, working remotely may allow time to take on new passion projects such as home improvements, learning a foreign language, or engaging in a new hobby. One could also mentor a young lawyer or law student. Both of these activities will continue to push our profession forward and can be done remotely. There are also pro bono initiatives that can be completed remotely. With the effects of the pandemic still being felt, there are opportunities to help with the eviction crisis, or to provide legal assistance to people in need after a natural disaster, even if that type of work is outside of your area of expertise and your comfort zone.

Truly work remotely. If you are successful working remotely at home, working remotely from a different location may present an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and test your limitations. For example, you could take your office on the road by staying at a short-term rental in a different location (for example, at the beach or in the mountains, providing you with expanded opportunities to connect with nature, as suggested above).

Conclusion

At this point in the pandemic, lawyers may have already incorporated some of these tips and practices into daily life. Remote work is here to stay, although the extent of adoption will continue to vary by practice, firm, and individual. Continuing to explore best practices for successful remote work will help you learn to love remote work.