Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan's weeklong closure of its New York office after a partner tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus is forcing the industry to reckon with a serious question: Can Big Law work remotely?

A number of law firm leaders said in interviews Monday that they're equipped and ready to have their lawyers and staff work from home for the short term. But working remotely for a long period of time poses a major test for an industry that is built on relationships.

"The legal industry is still an apprenticeship, and we're still trying to train our young lawyers to become partners and take over the firm and become the next generation of firm leaders," said Peter Miller, the chair and managing partner of Seyfarth Shaw. "There's no substitute for face-to-face teaching and the like."