When I started practicing law, I took an office in a suite with other lawyers. It gave me access to a law library, receptionists who answered the phones and greeted my clients, copy machines, coffee service, and other features that allowed me to move in and get to work.
When a client came to see me, I didn’t look like a “beginner.” I looked established and successful.
The biggest advantage of this arrangement was that it gave me access to other lawyers with whom I could associate, learn from, and get some work.
I did appearances. I did research and drafted documents. And I got referrals.
If you’re starting your legal career, I recommend you consider a similar office arrangement.
When you are more established, however, when you need room for your growing staff and can afford to build out your own suite of offices (as I did), do it if you’re ready but wait a bit if you’re not.
Having your own office is nice. You get your name on the door and the building directory. Your clients like having an attorney who (looks) more successful than the average Joe.
But is the additional overhead and responsibility worth it?
Maybe.
My practice grew significantly after I got my own office and hired more staff. But did it grow because it was my own office, or were there other reasons?
I can’t say for sure, but I know one thing. The additional overhead forced me to do things I might not have done, or done as aggressively, if I hadn’t had to cover the additional overhead.
I got bigger, faster, because I had to.
If you are thinking about getting your own office or moving to a bigger office, if you’re considering hiring more staff, investing in more advertising, or spending more time marketing, I get you.
My advice? Yes, run the numbers. Talk to other lawyers who did what you’re thinking of doing. And, most of all, pay attention to what your gut tells you.
I was nervous about expanding. What if this and what if that? Ultimately, I did what I wanted to do and trusted that everything would work out.
And it did.
