If
you
thought
2026
might
finally
be
the
year
Biglaw
got
a
break
from
“unprecedented
events,”
think
again.
Major
firms
across
the
Middle
East
are
quietly
preparing
evacuation
plans
after
Iranian
missile
and
drone
attacks
disrupted
airspace,
damaged
infrastructure,
and
shut
down
financial
markets.
Flights
were
temporarily
suspended
across
the
region,
and
exchanges
in
the
UAE
closed
through
Tuesday.
As
noted
by
the
American
Lawyer,
Firms
including
Baker
McKenzie,
HSF
Kramer,
Morgan
Lewis,
and
White
&
Case
have
instructed
lawyers
in
the
UAE
and
Saudi
Arabia
to
work
from
home,
citing
safety
concerns
and
business
continuity.
Other
global
players
have
issued
similar
statements
—
safety
first,
client
service
uninterrupted.
Biglaw
can
remote-work
its
way
through
a
lot.
Missile
barrages
and
potential
internet
blackouts?
That’s
a
tougher
billing
environment.
It’s
a
stark
reminder
that
“anywhere
lawyering”
still
depends
on
physical
safety,
functional
infrastructure,
and
governments
that
aren’t
actively
shooting
at
each
other.
For
now,
firms
are
running
daily
calls,
activating
security
protocols,
and
checking
on
colleagues
every
few
hours.
Everyone
is
doing
the
best
they
can
to
try
to
keep
deals
moving
while
hoping
the
evacuation
plans
stay
theoretical.
Snark
aside,
this
is
real
life
for
thousands
of
lawyers
and
staff
in
the
region.
We’re
wishing
safety
and
protection
for
everyone
caught
up
in
the
chaos
—
colleagues,
clients,
and
their
families
—
and
hoping
these
contingency
plans
stay
just
that:
plans.
Major
Law
Firms
Draw
Up
Middle
East
Evacuation
Plans
Amid
Iran
Attacks
[American
Lawyer]
Staci
Zaretsky is
the
managing
editor
of
Above
the
Law,
where
she’s
worked
since
2011.
She’d
love
to
hear
from
you,
so
please
feel
free
to email her
with
any
tips,
questions,
comments,
or
critiques.
You
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