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Law firm managing partners talk lessons learned from COVID and paths ahead

By NJSBA Staff posted 05-19-2022 10:51 AM

  
As the world continues to grapple with the ramifications of COVID, the leaders of New Jersey’s law firms are managing the challenges of how to run their firms, how much space the firms should occupy, helping their new attorneys thrive and evaluating what changes will be long-lasting. 

“Managing the Practice of Law in a (Hopefully) Post-Pandemic World” brought together Patricia Costello, managing partner of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi who retired as the assignment judge of the Essex County vicinage; Thomas P. Scrivo, of O’Toole Scrivo; David Jay, of Greenberg Traurig’s New Jersey office; Randi Kochman, of Cole Schotz; and Peter Torcicollo, of Gibbons.  

One key change because of the pandemic was the rise of hybrid work, for both new and experienced attorneys.  

“Look ahead, this is trending in only one direction based on technology," said Jay. "Where are we going to be in 10 or 15 years?” 

Added Judge Costello: “I think we are in the hybrid for the long term, I think the five-day-week ship has sailed.. We’ve evolved and changed.”  

Helping attorneys who are new to the profession learn the soft skills of being a lawyer, developing a client roster, and finding mentoring opportunities is a key concern, several said. At some firms, working groups have been created with veteran attorneys and associates to craft a path forward.  

“Exactly how we are going to do that is evolving,” said Kochman.

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