With Mexico on high alert regarding the spread of swine flu, U.S. law firms with offices in Mexico have been acting quickly this week to implement contingency plans

At Thompson & Knight's Mexico City office, firm partners made the decision to have the office's lawyers, paralegals and staff to work from home while being connected via laptops and smartphones. The office switchboard remained in operation and the office remains open for meetings and other special needs.

Likewise at Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, the firm initially made sure that there were plenty of facemasks, hand sanitizer, individual water bottles and paper towels for its Mexico City office, which operates as a partnership under the name Gardere, Arena y Asociados, S.C. But as concern multiplied, the firm made the decision to keep lawyers and staff at home at least until Monday, May 4(Friday is a national holiday in Mexico).  A sign of things to come here in the U.S.? Let's hope not.