When many law firms began planning their return-to-office strategy, the focus often centered on logistics. But as I’ve seen over the years helping to lead a 100+ attorney firm across seven cities, the real question isn’t just about where people sit or which days they come in — it’s whether the office environment supports wellbeing, connection and engagement.
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Reimagining the Purpose and Meaning of the Office
Thoughtful attention to flexible layouts and individual work styles creates a “third space” that can transform the office from a source of stress into a supportive, restorative environment. If RTO is the problem, then reimagining the purpose and meaning of the office can be an effective solution.
Professions like law, finance and tech have some of the highest rates of stress and burnout. Remote work has offered flexibility, but it has also amplified isolation, blurred boundaries and magnified loneliness. In my experience, the solution isn’t simply more remote work, but a radical rethink of what the office is really for. Rather than applying today’s jargon of “work-life balance,” we choose the more honest approach of “work-life integration.” This allows the whole person to be present across the activities they engage in.
Embracing Work-Life Integration
Done right, the office can be an energizing place where employees feel supported, refreshed, and connected, rather than monitored or micromanaged.
That philosophy has also guided how we approach in-person work. Community is perhaps the most overlooked benefit firms can offer. Employees don’t just want a physical space to perform tasks; they want to feel part of a larger purpose. Workdays designed to foster meaningful interaction, whether through collaborative projects, mentorship, or informal social connections, can improve engagement, reduce burnout, and enhance long-term performance.
To put these values into practice, Raines has maintained a robust mentorship program for many years. This program connects attorneys at all levels across all offices with one or more mentors and mentees in regular and consistent meetings. The result has been a stronger connection across all levels and the manifestation of mentees’ goals into demonstrable success. Everyone grows—everyone benefits.
How Office Design Plays a Role in Law Firm Wellness
Physical office design also plays a crucial role in this. Open-floor plans may look modern, but they can increase stress for introverts or employees who need quiet focus. Conversely, isolated cubicles may exacerbate feelings of loneliness. The most effective offices provide a variety of environments: areas for collaboration, quiet corners for deep focus, and flexible spaces that accommodate different work styles. Some employees benefit from breakout rooms or flexible seating, while others do their best work collaborating around colleagues.
In our offices, we are consistent in designing a large, central, and open meeting area at the core of each office, which serves as a “town square.” This supports community, communication, socialization and team building.
Recognizing these individual and collective needs isn’t just considerate; it’s essential for building a sustainable, law firm wellness culture.
A ”One Firm” Approach
Another common pitfall in many return-to-office strategies is the “we’re a family” rhetoric.
While well-intentioned, claiming family without cultivating real trust and a strong community can backfire. Employees can sense when words are performative rather than reinforced through consistent action. Our firm believes in a “one firm” approach, meaning all social events are open to the entire firm and not restricted to certain levels or status. Our organizational structure avoids a rigid hierarchy. Everyone is treated with respect, and we encourage an open-door communication policy at all levels.
Building trust requires transparency, accountability, and respect for boundaries. It means acknowledging that employees have lives, responsibilities, and well-being needs outside the office, and designing policies that reflect that understanding. We encourage our team members to attend our presentations on how to deal with stress, discuss the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, conduct cross-office yoga Zoom sessions, invite members to attend spinning classes, organize hikes and participate in mentorship activities in community schools. Personal enrichment is firm enrichment.
Leaders Often Misunderstand the Relationship Between Productivity and Connection
High-performing employees don’t thrive solely because of strict schedules or constant oversight; they excel when they feel seen, supported, and part of a network that values their contributions. The office can be reimagined as a gathering place to amplify those connections rather than undermine them. Structured touchpoints, regular check-ins, and opportunities for spontaneous interaction all foster engagement and reinforce a culture of belonging.
A successful return-to-office plan balances structure with flexibility. It respects individual work styles, prioritizes wellbeing, and emphasizes community over compliance. At our firm, this approach has translated into stronger collaboration, higher retention and improved performance, even under high-pressure circumstances. Employees are more likely to share ideas, support each other, and bring their best selves to work when they feel understood and valued.
Prioritizing Law Firm Wellness Is the Secret
The RTO challenge isn’t simply logistical; it’s cultural and psychological. Firms that invest in creating flexible, supportive, and trust-based work environments will not only see better well-being outcomes but also stronger engagement and long-term success. In professions where stress and burnout are common, the office can be part of the solution if designed with intention and operated thoughtfully.
Ultimately, the most effective RTO strategies recognize that people are not interchangeable units of output. Each employee has unique needs, preferences, and rhythms. Organizations that embrace that reality, invest in community, and prioritize wellbeing will create offices that don’t just function, they thrive. That, in the end, is what a successful return to office truly looks like.
Image © iStockPhoto.com.
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