Striking a Balance: Law firms are busier than ever — and that’s why leaders are focused on morale and well-being

ROI-NJ asked Sills Cummis Managing Partner Max Crane about pressing issues for law firms heading into 2022. Some of what was discussed appears below.

As seen in this article, “‘I think what makes me a little nervous is that, as good as lawyers have been about being productive and figuring things out over the past year, I think everyone individually is kind of fatigued by everything going on during the pandemic,’ Crane said. ‘How long can people maintain the high level of success they’ve had and work they’ve done?’

“He added that he’s extrapolating at this point, as he’s not personally seeing the signs of it yet. Employees across all layers of the firm are meeting extraordinary demands by clients and leaving them professionally satisfied, he said. And he has no complaints about the productivity of those working remotely.

“Regardless, he said, he knows employees in a hybrid workforce risk having the box around their work and home life permeated now more than ever.

“‘So, I worry that we’re going to see that exhaustion set in soon,’ he said. ‘People are tired in their personal lives, tired of having to recalibrate travel and leisure, having to wear a mask and everything else — why wouldn’t they be tired in a work context as well?’

“How do you retain talent and grow as a law firm in 2022? Crane expects it has a lot to do with maintenance of the mental health of staff.

“That means ensuring that the walls between work and the nonwork elements of life don’t come crashing down in today’s industry, he said. And he’s found some comfort in offering his attorneys the chance to socialize and unwind at firm outings and events.

“‘I think we have to find opportunities to reconnect with each other,’ Crane said. ‘We’ve taken for granted that people can work remotely and we don’t have to do anything to maintain that culture, work ethic and even mental and emotional health of our staff.’”