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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

DAY IN, DAY OUT - As we've noted in this space a number of times recently, Big Law is getting antsy to bring people back to the office, at least for a portion of the week. But how big that portion should be or whether attorneys and staff should even be required to schlep to the office a set number of days each week remains a topic of debate among large law firms. As Law.com's Andrew Maloney reports, multiple firms have announced plans in which there is no target number of days for employees to spend working remotely post-pandemic, or have only offered vague suggestions for flexibility. Others have suggested goals, usually around two or three times per week. Meanwhile, some firms have crafted more specific guidelines, often ones in which the expectations for in-person work gradually increase. But one thing's clear: most firms are aiming to provide some level of flexibility because the market for talent is increasingly demanding it. "You have to protect your assets, right?" said George Wolf Jr., a law firm consultant for Aon, told Andrew Maloney. "You've spent a lot of time, money and effort developing a great staff of lawyers. Are you really going to let something like working from home dictate whether or not you are going to be a desirable firm to work at?"

UNSEEN FORCE - The massive winter storm that disabled Texas's energy grid earlier this year has created what appears to be the perfect storm for a litigation trend energy lawyers say is unlike any they've ever seen. As Law.com's Angela Morris reports, contract disputes are arising between energy companies that buy and sell natural gas in at least 40 lawsuits filed since the February storm. Companies are arguing about whether Winter Storm Uri was a "force majeure" event, which means an "act of God" or other unforeseen circumstance that excuses their contractual obligations. "It's really the litigation trend now for energy companies in Texas," said Chris Hogan, a Houston energy litigator. "I had thought with COVID-19, we would see a spike in force majeure claims, but it is nothing compared to what is happening now."

EDUCATION CONNECTION - Online education platform Pluralsight has agreed to acquire A Cloud Guru. The transaction, announced June 2, will close by the end of 2021. Financial terms were not disclosed. Draper, Utah-based Pluralsight and Vista Equity Partners were advised by Kirkland & Ellis. Cloud, which is based in Austin, Texas, was advised by a Latham & Watkins team led by partners Nathaniel Amory and Johan Brigham. Stay up on the latest deals and litigation with the new Law.com Radar. 

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