Why SD Law Firms Lag in Reducing Footprints

Moore: “They are physically unable to squeeze as much efficiency out of a 20,000-square-foot space versus a 50,000-square-foot space, since the amenities and common areas are spread among fewer revenue-producing attorneys.”

SAN DIEGO—San Diego is still a secondary or even tertiary market for AMLaw 200 firms, and as such is physical unable to squeeze as much efficiency out of the highly competitive nature of this market, JLL’s EVP Misty Moore tells GlobeSt.com. The firm recently released its law-firms perspectives report for the region, which revealed that San Diego law firms are still very conservative with their real estate decisions since the last recession.

According to the report, demand for San Diego law-firm space over the past few years has been stable at best, with many firms shedding excess and inefficient space. The focus is on reduction in square footage, efficiency in layout and better utilization of space. Yet San Diego is not as progressive as some other primary US markets in decreasing footprints—the average square footage per attorney here is still among the highest in the nation; depending on the firm, this is due to either vacancy (room for growth) or renewals in older space that has not been retrofit to new standard.