Quinn Emanuel, a well-renowned Biglaw firm, has recently adopted an innovative approach to manage its office space. With an established “work from anywhere” policy, the firm has opted for a hoteling system for the allocation of its office spaces. Hoteling, in this context, refers to a scenario where office spaces are not permanently assigned to individuals but are issued based on need or reservation.
The firm recently made a significant real estate move by signing a 15-year lease for a 132,000 square foot office space across three floors on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to Jennifer Barrett, co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel’s New York office, this decision was driven by a desire to configure “a state-of-the-art location in this post-pandemic world” beyond mere aesthetic considerations. This information is detailed in a report by the
American Lawyer.
For Quinn Emanuel’s associates and partners, this shift will manifest in the firm’s workspace-use policies. Leaders and site planners will determine the allocation of permanent offices versus hoteling spaces. These decisions will be informed by tracking the working habits of their lawyers. To retain a semblance of the traditional office space, there are plans for ‘nameplate’ offices for individuals who plan to frequent the office on a regular basis, as well as state-of-the-art hoteling offices for others.
Barrett emphasized that flexibility is of paramount importance to the firm, and based on current trends, it is expected that more than half of the firm’s lawyers in New York will opt for a name plate office. However, whether every lawyer who requests a dedicated office will receive one remains undetermined.
The official move of Quinn Emanuel’s lawyers to this new NYC office is set for early 2025.
This innovative approach by Quinn Emanuel may indeed be a key part of the future of office management within the Biglaw sphere. Emphasizing flexibility and adaptation to post-pandemic working habits – will other firms follow suit?