Law firm opens 'branch' offices at attorneys' homes

It was a hectic Thursday morning, as some mornings at law offices tend to be. We aren't talking about a deposition, a mediation, or heading to court for arguments. No, this particular morning was different. It wasn't even past 9:00 a.m., and we were dealing with a diaper variety.

The proverbial "stuff" literally just hit the fan, or at least most of the changing table and my shirt. This is the new normal as I adjust to working from home while our community, state, and nation grapple with life, and work, in the wake of the national COVID-19 emergency.

Vogel Law Firm is open for business. Our attorneys are diligently working to serve clients and meet their needs as we have since the 1880s. Most of us are doing so from home—teleworking—following the advice of medical and scientific experts to slow the coronavirus contagion. They call it social distancing, but we're still connected.

As part of that, my five-month-old son, Maverick, is Vogel's newest "associate" and my officemate. He has sat in on a dozen conference calls from his bouncer chair and diligently watches me research and write briefs and respond to e-mails. Make no mistake, he unquestionably runs the show at the firm's "Swanson & Swanson" branch office in West Fargo.

Generally, Mav is a good boss. Unless he needs a bottle, a nap, or, of course, a new diaper. Then I hear about it.

'We're adjusting'