The pandemic has changed many aspects of legal work that were once considered set in stone. With lawyers now working remotely, and legal services being delivered remotely, discussions about moving away from hourly rates to alternative pricing models are intensifying. However, industry experts, including certain staunch proponents of fixed fees, feel that the billable hour will be around for the foreseeable future.

With the COVID-19 pandemic rendering offices empty (for the large part), and triggering new remote working policies and protocols, the future of the traditional office remains uncertain. And this has come at a time when virtual law firms – such as Rimon Law, which recently opened an office in Shenzhen – grow in prominence. However, some in the industry feel that working virtually may not be for everyone just yet.