Simpson Thacher Joins Flurry of Law Firms Reopening London Offices
Reed Smith has reopened its doors, while DLA Piper is set to open its U.K. offices to staff in early July, with some of its international bases to follow.
June 24, 2020 at 07:52 AM
3 minute read
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has re-opened its London office to staff and lawyers that cannot work from home as DLA Piper and Reed Smith put in place plans to open their U.K. offices.
Simpson Thacher, which is based in the CityPoint skyscraper in London, opened its doors on June 17 to those unable to work from home any longer.
The U.S. firm will ensure that hand sanitiser is available and face masks are worn throughout the office, while the lift up to the firm's offices will be limited to two people at a time with a Perspex screen between them, according to London managing partner Jason Glover.
Reed Smith has also opened its London office on a voluntary basis. A firm spokesperson confirmed that the base reopened its doors on Tuesday, and said that the firm's workforce would be granted access to the office in a phased return. No more than 10 people are currently allowed to be on one floor of the building at any one time.
Firm employees have also been asked not to use public transport to travel into the office.
Meanwhile DLA Piper has set its sights on a July reopening for its U.K. offices, following a review of the firm's post-lockdown procedures.
The firm is aiming to open its doors to staff in its seven U.K. offices on July 6, following a further easing of the U.K.'s lockdown restrictions, according to a spokesperson for the firm. It is also targeting a reopening of its Dublin base and of certain Middle East offices at some point in July.
In London, the firm is allowing people to come back to the office in phases, with the first wave of lawyers and business services staff limited to 10% to 15% of total headcount to allow for social distancing.
"We are encouraging anyone who has caring responsibilities or other reasons that might make returning to the office difficult, to continue to work from home," a spokesperson added.
Other firms to have allowed staff to go back to the office in London have included Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Allen & Overy, Linklaters and King & Spalding.
Read More
Linklaters Reopens London Base But Expects Majority of People to Stay Home
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