Lawyers working remotely is on the rise as technology becomes more accessible and law firms become more flexible with how their attorneys operate. But working remotely also brings possible risks and stresses. 

Philadelphia attorney Carole Sheffield, for instance, described the “double-edged” sword that lawyers working remotely may face. After a day of counseling clients and interacting with colleagues, a possible error may pop into your mind, awaking you from a once peaceful slumber.

“I've woken in the middle of the night saying, 'Oh my God, did I do that right,'” said Sheffield, an Anderson Kill shareholder and co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association's wellness committee.

Sheffield said a lawyer can alleviate that late-night bolt of panic by quickly logging into the firm's network from home and double-checking the possible issue. On the other hand, a client can demand their counsel work during the weekend, and lawyers' ability to readily work from home adds to the stress, she explained.

Still, more lawyers are working remotely than potentially ever before.

AbacusNext's Tomas Suros, who consults law firms on their software, said in 2014, he noticed a shift in Big Law adopting their corporate clients' flexible and remote work schedules.

“I've seen the firms go from a very risk-averse profession specifically with technology; they were stuck with faxing,” Suros said. In the past, he explained, large firms allowed only lawyers with certain years of experience and responsibilities and in certain practices to telecommute.

But as technology's reliability and security improved, law firms began to see the benefits of allowing lawyers to slash their commute time and do more work and bill for more hours, Suros said.

“You can often get more done when you are at home,” added Cynthia Thomas Calvert, a lawyer and president of Workforce 21C, which works to destigmatize flexible work programs. “You have less constant interruptions and you can get work done.”

But Calvert cautioned that working alone comes with a caveat. 

“Lawyers are often workaholics, no surprise there, and it can be hard to know when to turn off the lights. … When you work from home, the desk is always there.”

In addition to leading to overwork, predominantly working outside of the office may also impede a lawyer's career development.

“We forget that we do need to have the small talk and conversations that will lead to deeper relationships in the firm,” Calvert said.

Calvert suggested lawyers who work remotely prioritize making and developing relationships with current and possible clients and colleagues. She also advised lawyers to use video conferencing instead of relying heavily on texting and emailing clients and colleagues.

“When people work remotely 100 percent of the time, it can impact their advancement at a firm.” If a lawyer isn't front and center, a partner or rainmaker may not be aware of a lawyer's work. They may also assume a lawyer constantly working remotely is slacking off.

Still, law firms are using remote work as a feature to entice possible hires. Suros of AbacusNext said law firms are promoting their technology and openness to lawyers working remotely to attract lawyers.

“Firms now present their forward-thinking technology to attract individuals that have used technology previously.” That attraction is essential in pulling in millennial lawyers too, Suros said.

Calvert agreed, but warned that associates fresh out of law school or clerkships should ease into working remotely.

“It's a very valid concern that new lawyers need to learn office politics, office culture and office structure.”