Final 12 months, I coated Seward & Kissel’s annual Ugly Sweater Contest from afar. This 12 months, the agency supplied me the chance to interact in genuine participatory journalism as a member of the judging panel. Perched on the finish of a runway within the agency’s foyer convention room, watching effectively over 100 of the agency’s attorneys and employees both crowd into the room or poke their heads in from the standing room overflow within the corridor, it turns into abundantly clear that, at this level, calling this an “ugly sweater contest” is like calling the Tremendous Bowl a “soccer sport.” Technically correct, however unable to seize the proceedings.
As a result of that is Seward & Kissel we’re speaking about — a agency that thrives on “further” in terms of tradition — the sweater contest has advanced past a parade of garish jumpers right into a full-blown costume pageant. Themed ground entries! Coordinated performances! Floats!
FLOATS!
Associate Steve Nadel as soon as once more helmed the proceedings, informing the judges that a number of rivals had privately assured him that they had been assured that they might win this 12 months. The boldness wasn’t misplaced, with banger after banger of themed productions: a tribute to Christmas Trip, a completely dedicated Whoville encounter full with Grinch, and a Vacation Culkin Mashup weaving collectively House Alone and Succession.
Ultimately although, the nineteenth ground prolonged its profitable streak with a Peanuts tribute that rolled down the runway behind a literal rolling cart. A makeshift float pushing the ground’s designated Schroeder down the runway as he banged away at a miniature crimson piano. It was absurd and pleasant in all of the anticipated methods. Charlie was, we are able to affirm, unable to kick the soccer.
At a time when corporations throughout Biglaw are wrestling with return-to-office insurance policies, Seward & Kissel is placing equal effort into asking the extra essential query: what if folks truly wished to come back to work?
An annual sweater contest isn’t the lynchpin that brings folks into the workplace 4 days out of the week all 12 months. However seeing an annual occasion like this as an remoted affair misses the purpose. This crowd doesn’t collect in numbers like these with out pre-existing, continuously cultivated esprit de corps. And that tradition doesn’t kind and not using a willingness to repeatedly break outdoors the field and construct a record-breaking miniature golf gap. It’s a virtuous cycle that makes then workplace extra nice the remainder of the 12 months.
After the occasion, one refugee from one other Biglaw agency that I gained’t name out right here advised me that they really sit up for going into the workplace for the primary time of their profession. In the meantime, a shopper who joined me on the panel made some extent of noting that the agency’s tradition noticeably spills over into the shopper expertise. Completely satisfied attorneys, it seems, present higher service. Revolutionary idea.
Not everyone seems to be constructed for collaborating in a vacation pageant — and that’s advantageous. The variety of spectators proved that even the extra reserved people appreciated the spectacle. However whether or not they had been watching alongside or totally suited up as a cartoon character, everybody wished to be concerned. There’s a spot for return-to-office mandates, however corporations shouldn’t overlook the carrot half of the carrot and stick equation.
The nineteenth ground’s mini-dynasty continues. The remainder of the agency has a 12 months to plot their responses.
Good luck.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Regulation and co-host of Pondering Like A Lawyer. Be at liberty to e-mail any ideas, questions, or feedback. Comply with him on Twitter or Bluesky in case you’re fascinated with legislation, politics, and a wholesome dose of faculty sports activities information. Joe additionally serves as a Managing Director at RPN Government Search.
