How a hybrid law firm model can boost small law firm success

Whether you have already left big law or plan to in the coming months or years, you will eventually need to decide how your business operates. One choice you will face: opting to go fully remote or to run a hybrid law firm.

Below, we discuss a few pros and cons for each:

Remote law firm pros

For many new independent lawyers, operating as a fully remote practice makes the most sense financially and logistically. The pros to a remote law firm include:

  • Lower cost. A laptop, desk at home and some basic software can help you launch.
  • Flexibility. As you build your firm, you can take your time perfecting your schedule.
  • Tax savings. If, and only if, you have a dedicated office space used exclusively for your law business, you can deduct that expense on your taxes.

A home office and remote work can help you start your small law firm on a shoestring budget.

Remote law firm cons

As you move into a better rhythm with clients and workload as an independent lawyer, you might find some flaws in the home office / remote-only model, including:

  • Distractions. Pets, laundry, kids, the kitchen… Distractions can pull at you when you want and need to focus on work.
  • Meeting space. A biggie for lawyers. You need private, professional space to meet with clients. Video calls will work for some meetings, yes, but you will need an in-person option eventually.
  • Isolation. Law firms work best as part of a larger ecosystem. You need referral partners, collaborators and a general support network as you begin to build a successful law firm.
  • Security and IT support. In a home/remote office, all IT issues become your issue, and you must manage confidentiality compliance on your own.

Many lawyers who launch in a home office soon find themselves seeking a stronger network and a more professional setting for moving into law firm growth mode.

Hybrid law firm benefits

A hybrid law firm model offers the best of remote and in-office work with only a few drawbacks. Those include:

  • Cost. Office space requires a financial investment, but coworking space rings in far lower than a traditional office lease.
  • Home office upkeep. In a hybrid model, you retain your home office and any IT/security needs there. However, you can arrange your schedule and processes to allow for better cloud security and more.

Your hybrid law firm will solve many of the cons of remote-only work. Joining a coworking space or shared office setting a few days per week will give you:

  • Focused time. A must for entrepreneurial work-life balance, focused office time allows you to tackle projects free from the distractions at home.
  • Professional meetings. Clients respond favorably to a polished and professional setting.
  • A built-in network of peers. As a business owner, a strong network can make or break your growing practice. A shared office gives you immediate access to other professionals for support, referrals and more.
  • Work-life balance. Leave the office and leave work behind. When you arrive home, you can be fully present for your family and personal interests.

You know how and when you work best, and you can set up your hybrid work model to suit your needs.

Final thoughts

ThirdPath, a nonprofit organization focused on helping people achieve better balance in life, highlights several benefits of hybrid work. Among them:

“Workflow — AKA the pace and quantity of work — is one of the significant factors impacting your sense of work-life balance. As a high achiever, you expect periodic and seasonal upticks in your workflow. Greater control of how, when, and where you work becomes a great way to manage your energy during these periods of episodic overwork. For example, it lets you weave in self-care into your day or week and return to work more focused on the tasks that are most important. It can even help you gain a better perspective when dealing with chronic overwork, by taking a break, and rethinking what is truly mission critical.”

As you consider why you opted to pursue independent law, keep in mind that work-life balance comes down to some key decisions. When you choose your schedule and office space, consider what that balance means for you in terms of quality, growth-oriented work and a fulfilling personal life.

Learn more about our shared offices and coworking space for lawyers in Denver and Las Vegas. we help independent lawyers like you find a collaborative network and a better work-life balance as you grow your law firm.