The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/1384610
Since lawyers have been deprived of their offices for so long, they are not likely to take their communal space for granted. www.canadianlawyermag.com 1 EDITOR'S DESK UPFRONT www.canadianlawyermag.com EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Tim Wilbur Senior Editor Elizabeth Raymer Editor Zena Olijnyk Canada News Editor Aidan Macnab Production Editor Patricia Cancilla Writer Bernise Carolino CONTRIBUTORS Jacquelyn Stevens, Neill May ART & PRODUCTION Art Director Marla Morelos Customer Success Managers Reena Quimosing, Michelle San Juan Production Co-ordinators Kat Guzman, Loiza Razon Global Production Manager Alicia Chin (on leave) SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT VP, Media and Client Strategy Dane Taylor Sr. Business Development Manager Steffanie Munroe Business Development Manager Lynda Fenton National Account Executive Abhiram Prabhu CORPORATE President Tim Duce Events and Conference Manager Chris Davis Chief Information Officer Colin Chan Human Resources Manager Julia Bookallil Global CEO Mike Shipley Global COO George Walmsley EDITORIAL INQUIRIES tim.wilbur@keymedia.com NAUK SUBSCRIPTIONS CO-ORDINATOR Donnabel Reyes tel: 647 374 4536 ext. 243 donnabel.reyes@keymedia.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES legaladvertise@keymedia.com A s lawyers begin to return to their offices, firms across Canada are asking themselves the same question: How should we use our space differently? The ideas of open-concept offices and remote work were not new in 2020. In fact, our magazine wrote these words in 2018: "Many corporate closings now are conducted digitally, and most lawyers no longer need great swathes of desk (or floor) to organize case files. Thanks to the availability of video conferencing and other digital communications media, many clients will go months or even years without meeting their lawyers in person." What the pandemic did, however, was brought this realization to virtually all lawyers, and not just those pushing for change. And with this grand experiment has come a more nuanced understanding of how space can and should be used. For Sara Forte, who heads a small firm in Surrey, B.C., an open-concept office was the clear consensus among her staff for their new space (p. 4). Forte took the idea one step further and brought some meeting space to the outdoors. "Part of that is giving people some fresh air and nature in their day from a wellness perspective, but also there might be clients that are still nervous about meeting indoors," Forte says. For Borden Ladner Gervais, it is still important for lawyers to have a dedicated space in the office despite their desire to work at home occasionally as well. So, the firm is piloting a "digital office concept," in their Toronto offices where staff will be able to book offices anytime, but space is given to someone else when they are not there. The firm has also set up a system where colleagues in practice groups are encouraged to work in the office at similar times, and personalized digital photos appear when lawyers have the space booked. Both BLG and Forte have done extensive research about what their staff want, and their reasons for coming into the office. Since lawyers have been deprived of their offices for so long, they are not likely to take their communal space for granted. They now know much better what it was created for in the first place. Tim Wilbur, Editor-in-Chief A new appreciation for the office ISSUE 45.06 | JULY/AUGUST 2021 Canadian Lawyer is published 10 times a year by Key Media Canada (Law) Ltd. KEY MEDIA and the KEY MEDIA logo are trademarks of Key Media IP Limited, and used under licence by Key Media Canada (Law) Ltd. CANADIAN LAWYER is a trademark of Key Media Canada (Law) Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Canadian Lawyer disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. Publications Mail Agreement #41261516 ISSN 0703-2129 ©2021 GST/HST Registration #799898465RC-0001 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESS TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 20 Duncan St., 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5H 3G8 RETOURNER TOUTE CORRESPONDANCE NE POUVANT ÉTRE LIVREÉ AU CANADA AU SERVICE DES PUBLICATIONS 20 Duncan St., 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5H 3G8 Key Media Canada (Law) Ltd 20 Duncan St., 3rd Floor Toronto, Ontario M5H 3G8 tel: +1 416 644 8740 www.keymedia.com