More than 80% of US firms report revenue decline due to COVID-19, study finds

The pandemic is expected to have a lasting effect on law-firm operations

More than 80% of US firms report revenue decline due to COVID-19, study finds

More than 80% of US law firms saw revenues decline as a result of COVID-19, according to surveys conducted by US legal marketing company Martindale-Avo.

Moreover, 27% of these firms reported that earnings dropped by more than half. This is in spite of the fact that 95% of the firms surveyed continued to accept new clients, Martindale-Avvo said in a news release.

Thus, only 5% of firms increased spending on marketing, and nearly 20% of firms have already cut staff through layoffs and furloughs.

Even though law firms are seeing lower revenue, a survey of legal consumers found that the need for legal representation remains strong, as 52% of consumer-respondents said that they would still hire lawyers during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 40% of consumers were also willing to appoint attorneys who used measures like video and phone calls or email to communicate.

“Legal consumers are hurting along with the legal industry, but there is still a significant appetite for legal help across the country,” said Diana Schulz, president of communication at Martindale-Avvo.

Of the consumer-respondents who would not hire a lawyer in this period, 25% said that cost was the main reason.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond revenue as well, as remote-work setups implemented in response to movement restrictions could become permanent. Martindale-Avvo said that over 50% of lawyer-respondents intended for staff to still work from home to some extent even after the COVID-19 situation has passed.

Lawyers also expect to be waiting a while before things go back to normal.

“Once lockdowns ease, many surveyed attorneys say they believe it will take some time before their practices return back to normal. 62% of attorneys said they believe it will take anywhere from four months to a year for their firm to return back to where they were financially pre-COVID-19,” Martindale-Avvo said.

Recent articles & video

Lander & Rogers launches workplace law elective at QUT

CE Family Law's Louise Hunter had an Erin Brockovich for a grandma

WFW picks up win at 2024 Australian ADR Awards

Three additions enhance G+T's partnership

American Bar Association releases guidance to prevent conflict with unretained clients

UK bar survey reveals one in five pupils face bullying and discrimination

Most Read Articles

Hamilton Locke partner transitions to Lander & Rogers

Global law firm Kirkland & Ellis advises on multi-billion-dollar merger in the natural gas sector

Two Australian lawyers ascend to partner in major HFW promotions round

ALRC releases anti-discrimination, religious educational institution law recommendations