Starting a Law Firm | The Sky is the Limit

I've been writing a lot about this office space conundrum I'm in, and the more I think about it, the more I think it's about more than office space. And I think it is a great topic for all of you out there thinking about starting a law firm. I think the law is in a state of great transition, and the things I want to do I want to put me at the front of the pack, not the back or the middle.

The office space is just a small dichotomy of that. See, I don't think people like to go downtown to meet their lawyers. I don't think it connotes any kind of success or prestige. I think people don't have any idea what to expect, and often make their decisions based on completely irrational factors (much like juries do). Particularly when looking for a DUI attorney or criminal lawyer.

And, as one generation moves out of the boardroom and another moves in, their expectations are changing too. I think they'd rather spend their profits on things that will benefit both clients and shareholders (and their pocketbooks) rather than pad their egos. This means the extravagant office is over. This means a priority on effectiveness and productivity is going to be at a premium. The days of the line item for legal fees that must be used or lost are leaving us.

If you're starting a law firm you probably don't have to think about that too much. After all, you're just going to be trying to survive those first couple of years. But, it does come into play when you start thinking about how you are going to be set up and how you are going to run your practice. What I mean is, just because it's been done before, doesn't mean it won't work.

That's one reason I want to move my office out of downtown. Although the view is cool, it's expensive, it's inconvenient, and it doesn't improve productivity at all. I'm trying to find a sweet ass office, "off the strip" as they say, that will still appeal to clients but will be fun to go to every day. Even though we are attorneys, we can still have fun.

As you think about opening your law firms, think about what you really need, what people expect you to have, and what your traditional law firm mentality tells you what you should have. And then kick out everything in the last column and get ready to kick some serious ass for your clients.