Law Practice Management Class #2 -The Law Office and Technology 1 (Office Space, Location, Facilities Planning, Equipment)
Feb 25, 2016
Law Practice Management
Class #2 -The Law Office and Technology 1 (Office Space, Location,
Facilities Planning, Equipment)
Locating your law officeGeographic considerations
Growth Areas Sunbelt v Rustbelt?
Probably not a growth area
Ratio of population to lawyers300 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)– Demographics Now
Reports 1, 2, and 3
State, County and City Quick FactsFact Sheet for a Community
Gulfport, FL Data
Beyond $$$
Juggling three ballsOne goes up, other two come down
• Money• Quality of professional life• Quality 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 SuiteMay be best choice for new lawyer
Like This One in South Tampa (Hyde Park)
Advantages of law suite
Disadvantages of law suite
Local Suite Examples
• New Urban Suites – Ybor City
• The Centers of Westshore
Practicing from home
Suggestions for home-based lawyers
If you meet with clients at home
Make Sure Your Office Doesn’t Look Like This
Or This
But This is More Like It
Problem
What location and type of office will you select for your new law practice?
Why?