Big Law in Connecticut is faced with a big decision: when to open its doors.

Some of have started to reopen, while others are waiting until summer or later, based on guidance from the office of Gov. Ned Lamont, the federal government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their peer law firms.

Here is a timeline of reopening dates from five of the state's largest law firms, outlining their plans to reopen, either partially or at full capacity.

• McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, ranked No. 191 on the Am Law 200 with about 251 attorneys in 13 offices, partially reopened its Connecticut offices in Hartford and Southport in late May, but is awaiting government guidance to resume normal operations.

"From our perspective, June 20 is the day we will have more guidelines from the state on full capacity," Suzanne Baldasare, the firm's New England managing partner, said.

Baldasare said staff safety is the top priority, amid strict guidelines for employees, including restricting social and business gatherings to no more than five people in a room.

"The attorneys are still encouraged to work remote, because they can," she said. "It will be great when we can get back to the new normal."

• Murtha Cullina managing partner Jennifer DelMonico said that firm's attorneys had been working from home for more than two months, until it gave the go-ahead for lawyers to return to the office on a limited basis, beginning May 26.

DelMonico said about a third of the firm's attorneys would be working on a rotating basis with several safety precautions in place. She said about a third of the firm's attorneys and staff would continue working from home full-time during the initial transition, while rotating schedules for those returning to work would allow Murtha Cullina to comply with state guidelines on limiting offices to 50% capacity or less.

Murtha Cullina has about 100 attorneys in six offices, including three offices in Connecticut.

• Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey is gearing to reopen June 8, managing partner Rick Street said.

The firm employs about 80 attorneys in Waterbury, New Haven and Stamford, where it is scheduled to partially reopen June 8. Visitors and staff must wear masks, and the offices won't operate at more than 45% occupancy on any given day.

"There was a lot of careful consideration of what the partners wanted," Street said. "Our primary concern, though, is the safety and health of our people. We weren't comfortable with reopening in May, but we are comfortable opening now."

• Shipman & Goodwin said it plans to continue its telework model with a phased return to the office, commencing in early July.

The law firm has 172 attorneys in eight offices, including five in Connecticut.

"This approach will permit us to adapt our office space and operations to reasonably accommodate social distancing and other precautionary measures," the firm said. "We anticipate a return to 25% office capacity utilization in July, an additional 25% office capacity utilization in August, and a more robust return in September and thereafter."

• Day Pitney managing partner Thomas Goldberg said senior staff have informed its employees that telecommuting will continue for at least three months.

"Do not expect to open the offices before Sept. 1," the firm said.

When the firm does open in September, Goldberg said, there will still be social distancing guidelines and the wearing of masks. "We will also have hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes and we will make masks available for visitors."

The September date, Goldberg said, is for those who feel comfortable returning to work.

"Going into the office will be voluntary," he said. "We expect many people will still work from home."

Day Pitney sits at No. 164 on the Am Law 200 list, with about 254 attorneys in 13 offices, including four offices in Connecticut.

Related stories: