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Accounting and Financial Planning for Law FirmsFeaturesLaw Department ManagementLegal Operations

Law Firm Real Estate Strategy: Attorney Offices Are Out, Conference Rooms Are In

By Alaa Pasha
November 01, 2024

Law firms are navigating a paradigm shift in how they approach office space. With the rise of flexible workplaces, firms are finding that when their attorneys do come into the office, the main goal is to connect and collaborate with peers — and this shift has transformed how law firms address their real estate needs.

Before the pandemic, the norm for many law firms was to allocate a whopping 1,000 square of office space per lawyer. However, this standard has dropped significantly, with firms now averaging closer to 600 square feet per lawyer, according to Savills data cited by the New York Times. See, "Corner Offices Are Out; Collaboration Is In. Say Hello to the New Law Firm," New York Times (2/27/2024).

Crowell & Moring's decision to relocate its New York office exemplifies this trend. The firm moved from a traditional Midtown office to a more compact, flexible space on the West Side, focusing on sit-to-stand desks and soundproofing elements that enhance collaboration in smaller areas. Clifford Chance also embraced this shift, reducing its office space by 25% while adding more lawyers.

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