Big changes rarely happen quickly at Biglaw firms. Even before the rank-and-file associates catch wind of anything, there’s usually much discussion and analysis going on at the management level. So when the world’s richest law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, made a change to standard review assessments, it got tongues wagging.
Kirkland recently sent out their associate review questionnaires. And tipsters at the firm noticed a new addition to this year’s form, which asked:
Work Schedule: As a reminder, Firm Policy on in-office attendance is Tuesday through Thursday each week. For the Associate Review, please provide a general description concerning your in-office attendance during the past review period so that the Committee can consider this information when reviewing any in-office data reports and information.
Back in 2022, Kirkland rolled out their three days-a-week mandate, but in 2025, more and more firms are pushing for associates to be in the office four or even five days a week. Now that the firm is asking questions about attendance, tipsters are wondering exactly what that is foreshadowing. As a insider told Above the Law, “For the first time, they are now asking about in office attendance which seems to be the initial step to demanding more in office attendance.”
But, of course, this could be a prequel to something even more punitive. While it’s far from the industry norm, several firms have threatened (or even gone through with) docking associate bonuses if they flout the in-office requirements.
…Or maybe the firm is just trying to take associates’ temperature and grab data on how the policy is working out. That’s a pretty Pollyanna take, but it COULD be true.
If your firm makes any changes to their office attendance plans at your firm, please email us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Office Attendance”) or text us at (646) 820-8477. We always keep our sources on stories anonymous. There’s no need to send a memo (if one exists) using your firm email account; your personal email account is fine. If a memo has been circulated, please be sure to include it as proof; we like to post complete memos as a service to our readers. You can take a photo of the memo and attach as a picture if you are worried about metadata in a PDF or Word file. Thanks.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
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