Law Firms Join the Modern, Flexible Office Trend
Law firms have been one of the mainstays in traditional office space, but firms are starting to look for small and more efficient workspaces.
“I am seeing one broad trend among the majority of law firms—they are seeking smaller, more efficient and flexible office spaces,” Larsen, a principal, managing director and member of the US executive committee at Avison Young, tells GlobeSt.com. “This trend is driven by a number of things including economic pressure, tech-related industry disruptors, and the desire to remain nimble and poised to respond to change.”
While law firms are embracing more modern workspaces, they aren’t totally changing their footprint. For example, law firms will never adopt the open-office model. “While one-size office sounds efficient and financially smart, few law firms will use it, because, for example, a senior partner with a big book of business want a larger office that reflects her or his status within the firm and career aspirations,” says Larsen.
However, the plan could work for specific firms or in certain areas of the office. “Some law firms, both in the U.S. and abroad, have gone to open-plan environments, mainly in the reception, and breakrooms,” adds Larsen. “Open space for attorneys is popular with law firms doing business in the tech world. However, in traditional securities, intellectual property and IPO firms, open-ceiling workstations present problems: they cannot ensure attorney-client privacy and confidentiality. Private offices with sound proofing are here to stay, but open common areas in the reception are still desired even by the most traditional firms.”
The reason behind the shift: talent. Like other companies, law firms are also in a competitive race to attract quality talent, and as a result, the structure of the business is changing. “Quality of life issues are affecting the traditional hierarchical structure of law firms, creating multiple career tracks for attorneys,” says Larsen. “Fewer young lawyers will aspire to become partners or have the equity partner track available to them. In its place is a range of developing professional tracks that incorporate quality of life concerns. Important factors include changes in recruitment strategies, technology and flexibility to work from different locations, including working out of the house, and the desire among employees to be able to balance their professional and personal lives”.
In addition, technology has created efficiencies that naturally require less space. “That is partly the case. In the past, law firms often had a one-to-one ratio of attorneys to support staff,” says Larsen. “Today, one assistant can serve three to five attorneys. Younger attorneys are much more proficient with computers, and can draft many of their legal documents without assistance from support staff. Thus, with less staff, less office space is required.”