Davis Polk Is 'Predominantly An In-Office Firm' Now, As It Clings To Mandatory 4-Day Attendance Plan

Davis Polk has been doing everything it can to get its attorneys back to the office in the wake of the pandemic. First, in 2022, the firm mandated attendance on Tuesday through Thursday, reserving the remote flexibility that lawyers had grown accustomed to for Mondays and Fridays. Then, this past spring, Davis Polk revised the in-office attendance segment of its handbook to reflect the fact that associate bonuses may be impacted by their office attendance. Finally, in June, the firm backtracked on its three-day "hybrid" attendance mandate and adopted a mandatory four-day in-office attendance scheme.

That brings us to today's news, where Neil Barr, the firm's chair and managing partner, addressed Davis Polk's New York lease renewal in an interview with the American Lawyer. It seems the firm is adding an additional 30,000 square feet to its office footprint, for a total of more than 700,000 square feet across 23 floors.

Why is this happening at a time when other Biglaw firms are making an effort to shrink their available office space? Because, as Barr notes, "[W]e believe we are going to be a predominantly in-office firm."

On top of that, Barr says Davis Polk will continue to grow in headcount, and the firm doesn't simply doesn't have enough room. "The footprint is too crowded and needs to be updated to accommodate the modern law firm workplace," he told Am Law. Here are some additional details:

Barr said he didn't believe that the amenities of an office should dictate whether or not people need to show up, but he did say that a more worker-friendly office couldn't hurt when it comes to how people enjoy their time in the office.

"I think there will be a positive impact on people's experience in the office," Barr said of the office upgrades that are pending. "I'm not sure their desire to be in the office or not would fully change based on that, but having a modern, interactive and upgraded office will be supportive of an exceptional experience."

Has Davis Polk considered the fact that the "modern law firm workplace" is now hybrid in nature? Or perhaps that forcing attorneys to essentially be cuffed to their office chairs, no matter how many upgrades to the office have been made, may affect their mental health? Or that tying their hard-earned bonus money to compliance with a mandatory office attendance program could make associates harbor ill will toward the firm?

In fact, have any of the Biglaw firms that are trying to become "predominantly in-office" given any thought to how poorly these plans are likely to mesh with employee well-being?

Considering that the law has been categorized as a "profession in crisis," law firms in general, and Biglaw firms in particular, should be beholden to their attorneys' and staffers' mental health and well-being over their real estate holdings. Offering true "flexibility" is what makes the "modern law firm workplace," not more square footage.

If Davis Polk really wants to offer its attorneys an "exceptional experience," the firm ought to reassess its thoughts on becoming a "predominantly in-office firm."

'Predominantly an In-Office Firm': Davis Polk Renews NYC Lease, With 30,000 More Square Feet [American Lawyer]

Earlier: Davis Polk Junks Prior Commitments, Adopts 4-Day Mandatory Office Policy
Davis Polk Associates Better Get Their Butts To The Office If They Want Their Full Bonus
Top Biglaw Firm Returns To The Office With Mandatory Tuesday-Thursday Attendance

Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she's worked since 2011. She'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.