Why One Manhattan Law Firm is Returning to the Office Now

One year ago, at the beginning of lockdown, most of us thought we would be back to normal in three weeks. When three weeks passed, we thought we would be back in two months. Then we thought the end of summer, then the turn of the year. Finally, we realized we would have to wait until the vaccine was rolling out and making a difference. Now, on the anniversary of lockdown, the country is beginning to emerge from the pandemic, and we believe it is time, with all appropriate safety measures in place, to begin reentering the workplace. Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas, LLP, is hoping to lead the way by formally reopening its office.

Like most Manhattan-based firms, the 90 professionals on the SSRGA team commute to the office on mass transit from all over the region. When the pandemic hit we began operating from home, working double time in the initial days to quickly implement remote work procedures that enabled us to seamlessly service our clients. We immediately deployed communication technology, project oversight processes and leadership meetings to maintain full continuity in an environment of increasing flux and uncertainty. The courts were paralyzed; city agencies moved at a snail’s pace; the real estate market was at a standstill, and people were scattered across the country, but we were able to continue advancing our projects.