Will the Pandemic be the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Paralegals?

I know, I know, we are having an unprecedented crisis. But hear me out. Anticipated changes that could swing the power pendulum a little more in the worker’s favor:

1. Remote Work: Many law firms could ultimately stick to what are now “temporary” remote work arrangements, or at least work out hybrid schedules. The old school attorneys could finally get used to their support staff working from home, rely more heavily on virtual communication tools and technology to conduct meetings, collaborate on documents, and maintain workflow even more efficiently. The extent to which remote work continues and how temporary these arrangements ultimately wind up being remain to be seen.
2. Technology Adoption: Welcome to the Zoom world. Love it or hate it, we are here. The pandemic is accelerating the adoption of technology in law firms out of necessity. We could no longer come in for babysitting, sandwich ordering, and diaper changing. Virtual court hearings, e-filing, and digital collaboration tools became more prevalent. Firms invested in technologies to enhance their ability to operate efficiently in a remote or hybrid work environment. Hopefully we will all retain some level of personal space FOREVER, and these attorneys can change themselves when they shit their pants daily and order their own Door Dash.
3. Flexible Work Arrangements: Will law firms ultimately recognize the benefits of flexible work arrangements and continue to offer options such as hybrid work models, allowing employees to split their time between the office and remote locations? Certainly hope so!
4. Client Communication: The pandemic will emphasize the importance of clear and consistent communication with clients. Law firms and clients are going to be forced to adapt to virtual client meetings and find effective ways to maintain client relationships and provide legal services remotely.
5. Emphasis on Well-being: The pandemic should bring attention to the well-being of employees. Law firms will likely be forced to place more emphasis on all facets of the health of their employees.
6. Changes in Legal Practices: Depending on the nature of legal practice, some areas of law may experience a boom time in demand depending on the types of services provided. For example, there may be an increased need for legal advice related to contracts, employment issues and benefits, and force majeure clauses in real estate deals due to the pandemic’s impact on businesses.

Could there actually be a silver lining in this nightmare that actually makes working as a paralegal survivable?