The old strategies we employed to integrate new colleagues—whether first-year associates or lateral hires—have gone out the window. Gone are the days of days-long orientation programs and welcome receptions. Many of us are comfortable (too comfortable?) working from home, but it will be more difficult and overwhelming than ever before for new hires to integrate into their workplaces from their home offices. There are several things that we can all do—the newbies and the veterans—to make sure the integration process can go smoothly.

• Even if it could be a simple call, consider a Zoom.

At the beginning of the pandemic, virtual meetings surged. Enamored with the technology and eager for contact and connection, we forged ahead and over-scheduled Zooms. Now, nearly a year later, many of us are, frankly, over it. When a standard call is sufficient, we have returned to conference calls, and many of us are grateful. But that is not as helpful for attorneys now trying to integrate into their new-to-them work environments. If you have a call scheduled with a new colleague, even if you know it could be sufficiently handled over the phone, consider proposing a video conference. Colleagues trying to integrate will benefit from the added layers of those interactions.

• What may have been a big group social gathering, will be better off small.

On the other hand, the smaller the crowd, the more beneficial the interactions on Zoom. At large firms with first-year classes of a dozen associates, large officewide welcoming receptions were the norm. Events like that do not translate well to a virtual event—as many of us saw with attempts at officewide holiday parties. With virtual meetings there is a point of oversaturation—the point where too many participants leads to decreased interaction and communication. We've all been there. Twenty tiny squares, 20 barely visible faces, and 20 infamous red microphone symbols. On the other hand, a smaller group of perhaps four to six can have a fulsome and rewarding conversation. Consider inviting new colleagues to small group morning coffees, lunches or happy hours over Zoom. If your firm has a class of new associates joining, an event with two or three new associates and two or three "veterans," will be the most comfortable for everyone. Everyone will have a chance to speak. It's reassuring for the new associates to have a peer by their side. This set-up also minimizes the chance that the discussion feels like an interview. If you are focusing on integrating just one colleague, try virtually meeting with him or her and one other veteran. If the new hire is shy or reserved, your interactions with your colleague may help him or her feel comfortable and open up.