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.

And as for the recently hired associate, accept all invitations! Your new colleagues are doing this to help you, be grateful and sign on.

• Ask to join virtually.

Yes, there are silver linings to our virtual workplaces. Opportunities to observe virtual hearings and depositions should be abundant. Prior to us all working remotely and virtually, opportunities to accompany senior associates and partners to court appearances and depositions were often limited due to billing concerns and, simply, logistics. Four new associates couldn't crowd into a conference room to observe a deposition. It didn't make financial sense for an associate to travel to events outside of their firm's own office. Those barriers have been eliminated. An associate can observe a hearing or deposition simply by clicking a link. This was evident this summer, when judges were hosting their summer interns, it was common to see half a dozen clerks observing a virtual hearing—muted and cameras off. That should translate to practice, too. Associates should seek out opportunities to observe virtually and senior associates and partners should be willingly informing incoming associates about their upcoming schedules. Likewise, any opposing counsel asked if an associate can observe should agree as much as is feasible. The entire profession benefits from well-trained associates.

• Reaching out is a two-way street.

And what may seem obvious cannot be overstated. Everyone must be reaching out more than ever today. To the established attorneys, set reminders to check in on new associates. A quick email to a new associate, just a couple of sentences, can go a long way in making an associate feel welcomed. Ask an associate how their first couple of weeks or months have gone. Ask if he or she has any questions or has been working on anything particularly interesting. Don't forget what our parents told us growing up, it's the thought that counts.