Emerging from the Pandemic: New Strategies and Best Practices for Lawyers

*This webinar is a complimentary, value-added opportunity exclusive to SCG Legal Members.**

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on virtually all segments of the legal profession. While we focused on managing significant challenges, the last year also offered a unique opportunity for firms—especially regional firms, like our member firms—to reimagine the practice of law and make changes that will benefit both law firms and their lawyers in a post-COVID environment.
The new report—Practicing Law in the Pandemic and Moving Forward— released last month by the American Bar Association presents insights from over 4,200 lawyer respondents on how the pandemic has affected individual lawyers and their firms. The report also offers best practices for lawyers and law firms as the worldwide pandemic winds down and we start to return to a new “post COVID-19, normal.”

Facilitated by Lisa Borsook, Chair of SCG Legal’s Women in Law Taskforce, this webinar — featuring a conversation with the authors of the “Practicing Law in the Pandemic and Moving Forward” report >> our Chicago member firm founder Stephanie Scharf and her co-author, Roberta “Bobbi” Liebenberg — will provide participants with data-based best practices and a framework needed to ensure the success of all lawyers at our firms, with practical insights into what we need to do to set up our member firms for the best possible future.

Among report findings:

New approaches to managing and overcoming challenges that have been heightened by the pandemic—which have disproportionately affected women lawyers and lawyers of color, and which will impact how well law firms and corporate legal departments move forward.
Strategies for supporting lawyers who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of their work and home lives with many experiencing “burnout” and considering leaving the legal profession.
Tactics on how to lead teams of lawyers who are stressed about workplace resources, recognition, and job security.
Discussion concerning the implementation of effective programs and policies around flex-time and part-time; wellness; better resources for working parents; and comprehensive plans for family leave and sick leave.

About the Survey
“The ABA Coordinating Group on Practice Forward commissioned this survey to learn what lawyers need moving ahead and to understand the expectations for law practice as the pandemic dissipates,” said ABA President Patricia Refo. “Periods of major disruption can offer tremendous opportunities for leaders to rethink paradigms and improve processes. This report sets out a range of practices for legal employers to consider the best path forward.”

The full report can be found here.

Facilitator
Lisa Borsook, Executive Partner, WeirFoulds LLP, Chair of SCG Legal’s Women in Law Taskforce

Panelists
Stephanie Scharf, founder of Scharf Banks Marmor LLC, immediate past chair of ABA’s Commission on Women in the Profession
Roberta Liebenberg, former chair of ABA’s Commission on Women in the Profession

Record Date: June 8, 2021