Are OC Law Firms Taking to New Creative Builds?

Hawkins: “The bottom line is firms are fitting more into less by continuing to reduce per-attorney square-footage ratios.”

IRVINE, CA—As the needs of the multigenerational workforce continue to evolve and be influenced by technology, law firms are placing greater emphasis on flexible work environments and enhanced collaborative design, JLL EVP Ryan Hawkins tells GlobeSt.com. According to a recent report from the firm, while the delivery of new class-A product in the Airport Area and Irvine Spectrum is increasing the number of space options in amenity-rich projects, these new deliveries are driving up rental rates throughout the market, and with much of the future development projects expected to focus on creative and campus-style buildings, law firms will have a limited number of new, traditional class-A space options in Orange County.

The report also stated that as other industries adopt new progressive workspaces, which is driving demand away from traditional-office development, law firms will look into implementing new space layouts and providing new amenities for their employees. Firms are also beginning to downsize their per-attorney space, following the trend of the rest of the office market: historic square footage per attorney in this market is between 1,000 square feet and 1,100 square feet, while rent per attorney has been $40,000; current square footage per attorney is 800 square feet to 900 square feet, and rent per attorney is $35,000.