In the past few weeks, both Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Davis Polk & Wardwell have increased their office attendance mandate to four days per week, moves that associates and partners who desire more flexibility had feared throughout the spring as cooling talent markets and lower demand put power back in the hands of law firm leaders.

"One reason why firms are doing this right now is they're holding power over associates," said Michelle Fivel, recruiter and co-founder of Hatch Henderson Fivel. "The market is not dead but it's not the same frenzied pace where associates could make quick moves en masse, so I think firms are using that to their advantage."