Our Law Office Checklist for 2021 to help you build success
Office space remains one of the most important decisions any law firm can make. Whether you have a staff of one or 101, where you do business informs so much of your firm’s success. Our Law Office Checklist will help you make the most of your office space decisions.
Law Office Checklist 2021:
Location
In the year of remote work, 2020 taught us that we can work “anywhere.” However, not all spaces or locations are created equal. Yes, you can theoretically practice law from the top of a mountain or the corner of your basement, but the question of where you work best will linger.
Can you honestly say you do your best work at the kitchen counter, isolated from colleagues or peers?
For many of us in 2021, the answer to that question will lead us back to the office. Ideally, the location you choose will place you in proximity to both clients and a professional network that inspires your firm’s growth.
Size
If you plan to work from home part-time, your square footage needs for an off-site office could shrink. That 1,000-square-foot corner office might feel a touch superfluous if you work there two or three days per week.
Your options? Seek out a shared office setting, such as a coworking space for lawyers, or reduce your current office footprint. If you lease an existing office that now exceeds your needs, you can also rent out that extra space to other lawyers with practice areas complimentary to yours.
Cost
Real estate will easily account for the bulk of your law firm overhead expenses. In a year when we could all stand to tighten our business budgets, it’s a great place to look for savings.
Your costs will go down as the size of your office goes down, so opting for a smaller space makes sense. Subleasing existing space can also offset some of your real estate outlay.
For independent lawyers or small firms, shared office spaces or coworking options often make the most financial sense. They offer the benefit of dedicated work space without the cost or commitment of a long-term, stand-alone lease.
Infrastructure
One of the biggest benefits of working away from home is connectivity and infrastructure. Office buildings have been designed to provide the best environment for wi-fi connections and other technology you need to stay up and running.
Beyond technology, the reality of law practice means that you need private space to meet with clients. Again, your kitchen table or the corner coffee shop just won’t cut it for some of your more sensitive cases and meetings. Your clients deserve the peace of mind of secure meetings.
People
Many independent lawyers have felt the isolation that can accompany private practice. Nothing can boost morale better than working with other motivated people who can offer advice and inspiration.
Yes, we have all followed social distancing protocols out of necessity over the past year, but it hasn’t negated our need for authentic connections. Strong business relationships thrive best from in-person interaction, so choose a space that allows for that possibility as we move into 2021 and beyond.
As reported by HR Daily:
“In-person communication…has the highest likelihood of action being taken based on the conversation while also supporting a highly successful transmission of information between parties. The advantages of this communication rely on not only being able to hear each other but also seeing body language, facial expressions, and picking up on complex intonations that are present in the sound of someone’s voice.”
On that note, as the pandemic continues, all law firms will need to follow workplace social distancing and sanitation protocols. Any coworking space you choose should also have a clear COVID-19 plan in place.
As you weigh your law firm office options, reach out to us. We have years of experience helping lawyers connect with real estate options to meet their unique needs. We operate shared office and coworking spaces in Denver and Las Vegas, and we work with larger law firms seeking subleasing arrangements.
