A turning of the tide for hybrid policies?

Morgan Stanley has been implementing a return-to-office throughout 2025 and more recently, the company has been focusing on high-quality assets with modern amenities and a focus on wellness to attract and retain employees and meet "modern tenant demand".  

Why Law Firms Should Preserve Thoughtful Hybrid Working Policies

• Talent attraction and retention: Lawyers increasingly seek flexibility in their roles. Firms that eliminate hybrid options risk losing talent to competitors or in-house positions that offer a better work-life balance. This flexibility can help reduce burnout and improve retention, ultimately saving on recruitment and training costs.
• Productivity and service delivery: Focused remote work enhances the ability to tackle "heavy" tasks such as research and drafting, while in-office days foster teamwork, support, and development. Additionally, in-office days ensure availability for client meetings.
• Maintain culture: With hybrid working, casual conversations in the office can become less frequent. Therefore, firms should implement practices such as regular in-person team days, coaching sessions, and team lunches to keep employees engaged with both their teams and the firm.

Preserving thoughtful hybrid working policies is essential for law firms to thrive in today's evolving landscape.