How much space do you need for your law firm office?

As you consider your strategic plan for the next year to five years, how much space will help you create a successful law firm office?

That answer will of course vary. If you operate an independent practice, maybe you only need space for you and a legal assistant. However, it pays to think long-term when considering office space needs. If you have any plans to grow, you will need an office that grows with you.

Law office size trending down

Law firm footprints and individual offices have shrunk significantly in the past few years. A few factors have contributed to that reduction, including remote work and new billing structures. As law firms seek to remain competitive, reducing overhead expenses allows them to remain more nimble in other areas of the business.

According to Interior Architects, large attorney offices have become increasingly rare:

“As recently as ten years ago, it was not uncommon to find some law firms utilizing 800 or more rentable square feet per attorney… Today that number is typically between 600 and 800 square feet, with the most progressive firms requiring even less.”

Law firms measure space on a per-attorney basis rather than a per-staff basis, says IA. In short, square footage must support revenue-generating activity. With that in mind, many firms have opted for offices of 150-200 square feet.

Modern work trends support flexible office spaces

Remote work became the norm throughout the pandemic, and that trend will no doubt continue. As lawyers and staff alternate in-office time and remote work time, their space needs go down.

Flexible office settings also allow for greater collaboration between teams. Individual lawyers and staff can move offices as needed according to caseload needs. Open areas and meeting space also becomes more important as teams gather to collaborate.

According to Bisnow:

“When employees are at their place of work, it will primarily be to access advanced technology and to connect and collaborate with co-workers. Employers have taken note of the office’s new purpose. More and more companies and design firms are questioning the need to allocate a desk for each staff member. Instead, the emphasis is now on flexible areas dedicated to fostering ideas and teamwork.”

Consider why you choose to go into the office some days and work from home on others. Your entire team can benefit from a more flexible option.

Shared office space and coworking spaces allow for growth

For independent law firms, a shared office setting allows for long-term growth.

As RocketMatter notes in this piece on increasing law firm revenue:

“Co-working spaces give you the ability to keep costs down while giving you the added benefit of networking. They will also give you a location to meet clients face-to-face without having to host them in your home.”

In addition to the networking and collaborative advantages, shared office spaces have built-in scalability. Start with one desk for you and add more as you hire staff. Many shared office and coworking settings also offer private offices and suites that allow your firm to grow in place.

While a home office allows you to start your law firm, a coworking space helps you take it to the next level. Nothing can replace working alongside other motivated business owners and building relationships that will eventually bring you more clients.

Final assessment

Whether your firm employs one person or 100, take time to assess why and when you need your people in the office. Ask yourself:

  • How will we use our office space?
  • What benefit does our in-person space provide?
  • Do we need to be in the office every day, or does a hybrid schedule make more sense?
  • How can we collaborate more effectively?
  • Does our current space support long-term growth?
  • How will our office space align with networking and business development needs?
  • What do we need from our space that we don’t have now?

When you take the time to think about your workflow and what you really need from a space, you will likely discover that a more streamlined approach can save you money on overhead. That approach can also open new doors to opportunity in terms of a referral network or a collaborative space.

We work with law firms of all sizes, from independent law practices to large law firms. Reach out today to learn more about how the right approach to law office space can support your firm’s strategic growth.