Firms handle holiday workload

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At the two largest law firms in Wisconsin, the last month of the year can be busier than the first 11.

But because firms the size of Foley & Lardner (310 attorneys) and Quarles & Brady (292) have teams of lawyers who work on calendar-sensitive issues like mergers or tax contracts, there is also time to deck the halls.

\“There are often a lot of transactions that need to close by the end of the year and clients need those deals done,” said Ann M. Murphy, managing partner of Quarles & Brady LLP in Milwaukee.

Attorneys who work in practice groups like real estate, mergers and acquisitions or tax law are generally busy beating the Dec. 31 deadline, said Murphy.

Unlike some general practitioners in small firms, those with a dozen or more attorneys working cases in those specific groups can delegate duties. That allows lawyers time to open presents, but also get their cases closed.

Foley & Lardner’s managing partner Nancy J. Sennett said the flexibility in their firm gives most lawyers a chance to spend time away from the office, which is officially closed on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1.

“Because our numbers are pretty deep in our practice groups, we have a lot of bench strength,” Sennett said. “The workload is still consistent, but attorneys who structure their time have the ability to take some time off this time of year.”

At the same time, Sennett said even those attorneys on vacation need to be preparing for the new year.

“Sometimes courts set hearing dates for early January thinking everyone gets a break,” Sennett said. “Of course, that is really causing everyone to work over the holidays to get ready for that January deadline.”

The advent of technology has made it easier for lawyers to work remotely, said Murphy.

“A lawyer doesn’t necessarily have to be in the office to meet client needs this time of year. Blackberries and laptops allow attorneys to dial in when they need to.”