For Las Vegas law firms, office space needs have changed

The pandemic has affected all businesses, and many leaders will spend this year assessing needs. Reducing office footprints could offer a solution for Las Vegas law firms and firms around the country.

With more staff working remotely during the pandemic, many law firms no longer need large spaces on a permanent basis. What they do need, however, is a professional setting in which to greet clients and hold meetings. While working from home might work for many attorneys and staff, there are times when a physical space becomes necessary.

Las Vegas office space

As they seek cost savings and the right balance of remote vs. in-person days, Las Vegas law firms have sought some creative solutions. As reported by Law.com, some retail spaces have converted to become professional offices:

“The prospect of using retail space for law offices is the latest adaptation, in addition to innovations such as hoteling and other forms of shared work space, that may define law firm offices in the future as the COVID-19 pandemic makes a permanent mark on how firms configure and run their offices.”

The pandemic has accelerated a shift away from traditional office space models for many professional businesses, including law firms. While not new, the trend toward using shared office spaces will become a more attractive option for many law firms this year.

A survey showed the pandemic’s effect on law firm operations over the past year:

“A recent survey by MyCase shows that approximately 70% of law firms agree that COVID-19 will have a lasting way on how law firms operate and courts function…over 80% of law firms surveyed have transitioned to working remotely some or all of the time. Remarkably, nearly half of the firms surveyed moved from office to home in less than a day.”

Those numbers reveal an ability and willingness for law firms to adapt to changing market and staffing needs.

Las Vegas has also seen a trend toward subleasing, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal:

“By all accounts, small firms are more likely than large ones to have already returned to the office, though numerous companies that sent people home have tried to recoup rent money they’re spending for space they’re not using…the amount of office space available for sublease in Southern Nevada has more than doubled since the pandemic hit, to about 1.3 million square feet.” 

That excerpt reveals a dual trend that we have experienced in Denver for the past several years. Small firms want to be in an office setting for productivity and a sense of community. Large firms want to maintain their footprint, but offset costs by subleasing.

A culture shift

The article cited above also discusses other culture changes, such as moving away from traditional 9 to 5 schedules and strict dress codes.

The small law firms we work with have been leading the charge on some of those legal industry culture changes. For years, they have bucked the idea that law firms must operate in a rigid, traditional way.

Independent lawyers have left big law in search of a better balance of work and personal life – and they have succeeded. They have found more flexibility and autonomy. They have enjoyed the ability to pursue personal interests, attend their children’s school and sporting events and have a life. Along the way, they have elevated client service and experience.

Delivering high-quality legal services does not require a big downtown office. It requires savvy lawyers who know what clients need and want most in 2021.

Firms of all sizes can use this opportunity to shape their cultures. The past year has shown us how adaptable we can be, so why not challenge the status quo. Set up your law firm in a way that delivers excellence and provides your people a balanced place to grow.

If you run a solo practice, take this moment as your cue to continue pushing industry boundaries. Now, more than ever, clients are ready for it.

To learn more about our shared office space for lawyers in Las Vegas and Denver, reach out to us. We also work with large law firms that want to maximize their office space through subleasing.