The American Lawyer: 7 People, 4 Lawyers, 3 Dogs and (Slightly Better) Wi-Fi: 14 Months and Counting at O’Melveny Chair Brad Butwin’s Full House
May 24, 2021
O’Melveny chair Brad Butwin spoke with The American Lawyer about how his family (four of whom are lawyers) is doing after more than 400 days quarantining together during the COVID-19 pandemic. AmLaw first detailed how the Butwin family was navigating the pandemic together under one roof just over a year ago.
After a year of family dinners, endless household chores, and elbowing for access to their home gym equipment, the family is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as vaccination rates continue to rise and social distancing orders begin to ease.
Amid the sense of hope, Butwin reflected on the period’s heavy toll. “With over 3 million dead, millions of lost jobs and people cut off from loved ones for more than a year, it’s been a hard time,” he said. “But we were among the lucky ones. I am grateful that I am able to do my job and be with my family.”
Still, isolation has had its challenges, Butwin noted. “I’ve been in the same chair looking at the same screen for 431 days and counting. My pod is one law firm chair and two adult kids working at different major law firms—neither of whom has seen their offices yet—another daughter who transitioned to clerking for a federal judge, one wonderful daughter-in-law, my wife of 32 years and our youngest daughter who had to pick a college without seeing any of them in person. But we are all still here,” he said.
“As a law firm leader it’s been a treat to see the pandemic through the eyes of my kids during the early stages of their careers,” Butwin added. “What little things can mean to them: A simple compliment, the importance of communication. I really miss seeing our people in person. Over the past few weeks I have had several business meals and meetings in the city. They were invigorating.”
Read the full article here.