How remote work and pandemic concerns are changing Pittsburgh law firm offices - Pittsburgh Business Times

Joseph Dougherty, CEO and Managing Director, is quoted in the Pittsburgh Business Times article, "How remote work and pandemic concerns are changing Pittsburgh law firm offices."

In spring 2019, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC began working in cross-disciplinary teams focused on industry sectors. Then, last November, the firm relocated to the Union Trust Building with significantly smaller individual offices.

When in March the Covid-19 outbreak forced law firms across the commonwealth to work remotely and often in different combinations to serve rapidly evolving needs of clients, Buchanan was ready.

"Moving into new space definitely helped to change mindsets and made the lawyers more cognizant of efficiencies," said Buchanan CEO Joe Dougherty. "That openness to change helped make the move home easier, and it’s going to become more important going forward."

Having lawyers and government professionals work together to understand issues and business ramifications impacting industry sectors — on top of traditional practice groups — has also become more crucial, he added.

"Incorporating those considerations into legal analysis helps us give better and more comprehensive advice to clients and you’re seeing that with Covid-19 and the challenges arising in different industries," he added. "It took something like this to get some lawyers to test the boundaries and find they’re more capable, even if they can’t be within the four walls of the office. Some lawyers knew that and accepted it. Many did not."