Husch Blackwell office.

Husch Blackwell has opened its 21st office—a virtual space called The Link, comprised of 50 lawyers and staff from eight brick-and-mortar offices in a move that transforms the firm's approach to how it uses technology and views office space.

"The COVID-19 experience, there's been some silver lining," said J.Y. Miller, the managing partner of The Link. "We can actually be more connected to one another and to our clients in spite of not being in a brick-and-mortar environment…if we incorporate technology tools."

J.Y. Miller, partner with Husch Blackwell

Miller said that after lawyers and staff started working at home when the pandemic began, using communication and collaboration tools, it became clear that efficiency improved, and people reported that they felt more connected to others at the firm than before the COVID-19 crisis. The Link builds on that connection, he said.

Over time, success with The Link may lead the 21-office firm to reduce its footprint. "I absolutely think that this is going to help us transform the way we think about our space planning and the way we think about our real estate commitment," he said.

Miller said Bret Chapman, the firm's chief administrative officer, had a concept of a virtual office in mind for a couple of years, but the experience of COVID-19, causing lawyers to work from home and use technology more, led to the launch. Chapman could not be immediately reached for comment, but in a press release he said Husch Blackwell is committing to an infrastructure that best supports legal teams working "from anywhere."

A team defending nationwide toxic tort cases make up the bulk of the group joining The Link. Other practice teams at the firm are also experimenting with using technology in a way that would allow them to work virtually. While the lawyers working at The Link are litigators, Miller said it can be adapted to any practice.

Lawyers in The Link work from home, from a client's office, or hotel at one of the firm's 20 physical offices. The lawyers who volunteered for the virtual office had been based in St. Louis; Chicago; Milwaukee; Chattanooga; Houston; Washington, D.C.; Madison, Wisconsin; and Kansas City, Missouri. Jennifer Dlugosz, a partner in Chicago, is  deputy managing partner.

Prior to the launch of The Link, Miller said, many of the lawyers and staff had been working together on a platform for defending nationwide toxic tort litigation, but the addition of video technology and scheduled Zoom calls make that even more useful and efficient. While video conferencing is "the key," Miller said the firm has also been using communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.

He said people at the firm typically interact in an office informally, but often superficially, in encounters in hallways and at the coffee machine. But The Link is structured to allow for more meaningful, scheduled interactions.

Once stay-home restrictions are lifted nationwide, Miller said, plans call for lawyers assigned to The Link to meet together at various offices to build relationships further.

Other practice teams at the firm are also experimenting with using technology in a way that would allow them to also work virtually.

Dlugosz said she has been working from home, but expects to occasionally work in the Chicago office and appear in court when in-person proceedings resume.

The Link's structure is also good for lawyers and staff on a personal level. Dlugosz said the flexibility of the virtual model gives her time to go for a bike ride or play tennis in the morning before work instead of a commute.

"You are able to organize work around your life, especially if you are being more efficient throughout the day. You are able to exercise, have breakfast with your family, walk your dog," Miller said.