North American law firms have truly stepped up to the plate in their immediate responses to the COVID-19 crisis. What’s less clear, however, is the profession’s preparedness for the long tail of the pandemic.

And as we look at the knock-on effects of a lengthy COVID-triggered reduction in economic activity, it seems quite possible that there will be no quick return to business as usual. When law firms do get back to work, it may be on a completely different basis than in the past.