The panel will discuss the recent changes in law firm work culture, particularly how law firms around the world are dealing with post-pandemic challenges such as the Great Resignation, hybrid working, AI/technology, employee wellbeing, etc. Law firm managing partners from different regions around the world will discuss how they have re-structured their work culture to adapt to the changing norms, and how they have turned un-precedented challenges into long-term advantages. In addition to discussing the effective steps the panellist have taken to create and maintain the right law firm work culture for the current environment, we will be examining the forward-looking actions that law firms are taking to plan for and manage future challenges and changes. Overall, we will exchange thoughts and experiences on how to create and sustain a work place culture that is better for people, business and the society at large.   

Additionally, with the pandemic, the ongoing global climate crisis and other crucial current events, the world’s focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance has been further heightened, and lawyers worldwide are now also examining how they and their law firms can adopt ESG best practices and adhere to them. As ESG compliance has become an important aspect of law firm management, the IBA Law Firm Management Committee has published an ESG Toolkit for lawyers and law firms; taking that discussion forward in person, we will discuss with the help of our panellist the need and practical approaches for successfully adopting and integrating SDGs/ESG compliance in everyday law firm management practices.