A New Year, a Clear Shift: Onsite Is Back

As we head into the new year, one trend is becoming unmistakably clear in the legal market: onsite roles are back—and they’re back in a meaningful way.

While hybrid schedules still exist and a small number of remote roles remain, the majority of law firms are moving toward 100% onsite or predominantly onsite positions. This applies not only to attorneys, but also to business services roles across the firm—legal assistants, paralegals, executive assistants, HR, accounting, IT, marketing, and more.

Law firms are relationship-driven environments. Collaboration, mentorship, training, confidentiality, and client service all function best when teams are physically together. Over the past year, firm leadership has consistently emphasized in-office presence as a priority for long-term success and retention.

A candid—and important—resume tip for candidates:
If you are applying to a role that clearly states “100% onsite,” please apply only if you are genuinely open to working onsite—and remove “remote” from your resume.

I frequently see resumes that list roles as “remote” beneath the company name and dates. Even when that was accurate at the time, including it when applying to an onsite role can unintentionally signal misalignment, resistance, or a lack of attention to the job description—often before a conversation ever happens. This isn’t about judgment or penalizing candidates for past remote work. It’s about alignment.

If you are open to being onsite, your resume should reflect that. And if you are not open to an onsite role, it’s best to focus your search on opportunities that truly match your preferences.
As the hiring market continues to evolve, flexibility and intentional presentation matter more than ever. Small details can make a meaningful difference in whether a resume moves forward.