Can a One-Size-Fits-All Model Work for the Law Firm Office Space?

For the last twenty years, the move to single sized offices has been a hot topic for both law firm management and designers, who have traditionally chosen variable sized offices that reflect seniority within a firm. Outside of high-cost markets, law firms have only recently come to adopt the model as their own. One cause for this has been financial - in the aftermath of the tech bubble and the financial crises, law firms have been less likely to relocate their offices. Without relocating, conversion to a single size office scenario can be quite difficult.

The consideration of single sized offices generally addresses three elements: office culture, operational/design efficiency and economic factors. While most occupiers are initially drawn to the model because of beneficial economic factors, in most markets this will not be the deciding factor. Cultural value and/or operational advantages will also need to be shown.