Recent trends in the legal industry point towards smaller office spaces for associates at ‘Biglaw’ firms. According to Thomas Fulcher, Chair of the legal tenant practice group at Savills, lawyer offices are now typically measuring around 150 square feet. This is a significant reduction from the previous average of approximately 225-250 square feet per attorney.
In a recent interview with the American Lawyer, Fulcher explained that the role of the office appears to be evolving. Instead of serving as a venue for meetings, it is increasingly seen as a space predicated on individual productivity.
It’s worth noting that while individual office spaces seem to be shrinking, the overall footprint of legal firms, particularly those based in New York, is reportedly expanding. Fulcher reasons, “If you have more attorneys, you’re going to need more space.”
This trend, while perhaps initially disconcerting for those accustomed to more spacious accommodations, reflects a broader shift across multiple industries towards more compact, efficient use of office space. The nature of work is changing, with technology enabling more flexible working arrangements and meeting formats.
As a result, the physical office is being reimagined. It seems the days of the expansive, private attorney office may be giving way to an era of smaller, more functional spaces. More research will be needed, though, to fully understand this trend and its potential implications for staffing, productivity, and the broader culture within Biglaw firms.