In an era where many firms are summoning their staff back to brick-and-mortar offices, Husch Blackwell is taking a divergent path with its fully virtual office, The Link. Spearheaded by J.Y. Miller, the managing partner of The Link, the initiative has seen remarkable success, contradicting the prevailing industry norms.

Miller articulated his insights on the success of this virtual model in a recent interview with Law.com, asserting, "This [Husch Blackwell’s fully virtual office, The Link] is working. We figured it out." He highlighted the frustrations of those who thrived during the remote work phase and are now being pressured to return to traditional office settings. "And I think that people who are most frustrated are the people who were so successful and then enjoyed some of the benefits of it, and now their companies and their firms are saying, ‘well, we don’t care. We want you to go back in the office.’"

Since its inception, The Link has expanded exponentially, reporting a 16-fold increase in participation. This growth isn't just in numbers but also in the geographical and operational reach of the firm. "We’ve had a tremendous amount of growth. We are a national firm in terms of our reach and our expertise, but now we’ve been able to really expand and put boots on the ground wherever our clients need us and wherever we see as a strategic growth area," Miller continued.

The success of The Link offers a compelling case study for the viability of permanent remote work arrangements in sectors traditionally dominated by in-office interactions. Husch Blackwell’s initiative not only enhances flexibility for its employees but also extends its talent pool and client services without the geographical constraints imposed by physical office locations.

This innovative approach by Husch Blackwell might set a new trend in the legal industry, challenging the conventional wisdom that face-to-face interactions in office settings are critical for the success of major law firms. As more firms observe the benefits reaped by Husch Blackwell, the legal industry might see a broader adoption of virtual workspaces, which could redefine how law is practiced in the future.