Law Practice Management Class #2 -The Law Office and Technology 1 (Office Space, Location, Facilities Planning, Equipment)

Locating your law office Geographic considerations

Growth Areas Sunbelt v Rustbelt?

Probably not a growth area

Ratio of population to lawyers 300 to 1 (.36% of total U.S. population) “Lawyers are the only profession where the more there are, the more are needed!” -- Robert Lucky

Access to court house 40% of legal fees generated by litigation

Demographic data Private firms (pay)Private firms (pay) –Demographics Now Demographics NowDemographics Now Reports 1, 2, and 3123

State, County and City Quick Facts State, County and City Quick Facts Fact Sheet for a Community Fact Sheet for a Community Gulfport, FL Data

Beyond $$$

Juggling three balls One goes up, other two come down MoneyMoney Quality of professional lifeQuality of professional life Quality of personal lifeQuality of personal life

Choosing a Neighborhood and Building

Look for deferred maintenance problems

How to find space

How much space?

Office design is important

Acceptable Furniture Also Important

Getting most for money Without Settling for a (Very Fancy) Cardboard Box

Lease negotiation considerations

What type of office setting

Law or Executive Suite May be best choice for new lawyer Like This One in South Tampa (Hyde Park)

Advantages of law suite

Disadvantages of law suite Incompatible practice mix with other lawyers in suiteIncompatible practice mix with other lawyers in suite Risk of malpractice liability for acts of others in suiteRisk of malpractice liability for acts of others in suite –Clients don’t always understand that lawyers in same suite are not same firm –Need clause in fee agreement making this clear Lack of personal attention to clients by receptionistLack of personal attention to clients by receptionist Limited storage for closed filesLimited storage for closed files

Local Suite Examples New Urban Suites – Ybor CityNew Urban Suites – Ybor CityNew Urban Suites – Ybor CityNew Urban Suites – Ybor City The Centers of WestshoreThe Centers of WestshoreThe Centers of WestshoreThe Centers of Westshore

Practicing from home Most lawyers have an “office” at home for night/weekend workMost lawyers have an “office” at home for night/weekend work Few lawyers practice primarily from home, but number is growingFew lawyers practice primarily from home, but number is growingbut number is growingbut number is growing Cheap but reliable technology makes home- based practice viableCheap but reliable technology makes home- based practice viable Success depends on type of practiceSuccess depends on type of practice –May not work with practice that requires extensive client contact –May be ideal for more solitary types of practice, such as appellate work

Suggestions for home-based lawyers Rent a Virtual Office, Example 1 and 2, RatesRent a Virtual Office, Example 1 and 2, Rates12Rates12Rates Meet clients at their offices or borrow a conference room from another lawyerMeet clients at their offices or borrow a conference room from another lawyer Offer to pay small monthly amount to nearby firm for conference room accessOffer to pay small monthly amount to nearby firm for conference room access Have separate business and personal telephone lines, addresses, etc.Have separate business and personal telephone lines, addresses, etc. Use an answering service or virtual assistant when you are not available or forward calls to cell phoneUse an answering service or virtual assistant when you are not available or forward calls to cell phoneanswering servicevirtual assistantanswering servicevirtual assistant

What About Mail???? Use mail drop or P.O. Box address if home address is obviously residential.Use mail drop or P.O. Box address if home address is obviously residential. Use a receive and scan (aka digital) mail serviceUse a receive and scan (aka digital) mail service –Earth Class Mail Earth Class MailEarth Class Mail DemoDemoDemo –Zumbox Zumbox –Traveling Mailbox Traveling MailboxTraveling Mailbox –Outbox Outbox

If you meet with clients at home Sound proof home officeSound proof home office Add law books (even if out of date) to give more serious professional appearanceAdd law books (even if out of date) to give more serious professional appearance Separate entrance for clientsSeparate entrance for clients Separate restroom for clientsSeparate restroom for clients

This probably isn’t appropriate

Problem What location and type of office will you select for your new law practice? Why?