Employees will inevitably socialize on some level when you have a law firm. In some firms, it might be relatively rare, but in other firms, it can become more frequent.

While there is no golden rule, the larger the firm, the more likely employees are to socialize at non-firm events. Additionally, the younger the employees are, the more likely this will happen because these employees don’t always have families awaiting them at home.

Non-firm socializing can happen in all sorts of different ways. It can often begin innocently with people attending happy hours, social events, and beyond. Before you know it, the bonds can strengthen between the employees you brought together as the law firm manager or owner. Beer, pizza, and wings magically have a way of bringing folks together in a semi-sacred bond.

Pros and Cons of Social Groups

On some level, this is a good thing. Employees getting to know each other can be good if it promotes teamwork and workplace camaraderie. This can be seen when employees are still coming to work happy to be there, are productive, and enjoy being around each other to do great legal work (even with the management).

That said, it can often become counterproductive. After-hours happy hours can turn into negativity. Rumors and gossip can be spread. It can turn into a complaint forum. Folks can start questioning. Sometimes, they can begin dreaming big dreams of an easier yet more prosperous life (even if unrealistic).

Further, when superiors are out drinking with subordinates and even those in the same position, legal risks overflow into the workplace. Laws against workplace harassment are one area that presents significant risks when employees socialize outside of work. Employees probably have a right to go to after-hours drinking and social group events (although I’m no employment attorney, and the laws can vary by state.)

However, as a law firm partner or manager, if you want to know the firm’s pulse, you often need to look no further than the social groups within your law firm. After a few beers among coworkers, what folks say is an excellent measure of an employee’s heart.

Know that once one member of a drinking or social group departs (whether willingly or not), the departure of the others in the drinking group can often come in waves. In other words, once one leaves, the others inevitably begin to think it’s their time.

This is a natural tendency in many ways. For example, when somebody gets married in a social group outside of work, others start thinking it is their time. Likewise, when somebody has a child, others start thinking about having children. It isn’t any different in most law firms once one social or drinking group member leaves and glorifies it to others (right after accepting a new job or while in the initial honeymoon phase).

In short, if you run a law firm, don’t discount the importance of drinking and social groups within your firm. What happens at these can directly affect the success of your law firm.

If you have any thoughts, feel free to share them below.