| One of the things that you will notice when you | | | | defense or family law) do not lend themselves |
| first open your law office is that you will write a | | | | well to practicing out of your home. However, |
| lot of checks. You will make a lot of payments. It | | | | others fit well into the warm environment that |
| will seem like there is much more money going | | | | the home offers (i.e. elder law or estate planning), |
| out than there is money coming in and, at the | | | | especially if you will be meeting clients there. You |
| beginning, that probably will be the case. | | | | will need to create a separate office within your |
| Consequently, one of the major aims when you | | | | home, to separate work from home life and to |
| are staring out is to keep overhead costs as low | | | | maximize productivity. |
| as possible. That means you don't need that | | | | 3) Office Sharing. |
| corner office overlooking Park Avenue. Right now, | | | | Office sharing can be a great alternative to the |
| you don't have the client base to justify that sort | | | | traditional office. While still more pricey than other |
| of expenditure. With that in mind, below are some | | | | options, sharing an office with someone else |
| ideas for some "starter" office space, at least until | | | | creates a natural avenue for referrals. This is |
| you get your feet on the ground. | | | | especially true if you are sharing with other |
| 1) Traditional Office. | | | | attorneys who practice in different areas than |
| Traditional office space, while the most liberating | | | | you do, or if you are sharing with non-attorneys. |
| and enticing, is also the most expensive. However, | | | | If you choose wisely, the referrals alone can |
| that doesn't mean you can't lease office space | | | | justify the cost. As with any option, the key is to |
| from the outset. The key is to put your office in | | | | do your research, and meet with the people who |
| a location where the cost is justified. For example, | | | | you could potentially share space with, prior to |
| if you are a litigator and can get prime office | | | | making any decisions. |
| space next to the courthouse (where everyone | | | | 4) Virtual Office. |
| who walks by can see your sign: "Law Office of | | | | A relatively new phenomenon is the virtual office. |
| Blankity Blank"), then the investment could be | | | | The variations on the virtual office seem limitless, |
| worthwhile. Be sure to consult with other | | | | but it is essentially a place where you can meet |
| attorneys who have offices near the courthouse, | | | | with clients, receive your mail, have your |
| and see how much business they get from | | | | telephone answered, while not being tethered to |
| walk-ins. Then evaluate whether the risk is worth | | | | the office space. Additionally, the cost of a virtual |
| it. | | | | office can be much less than traditional or even |
| 2) Home Office. | | | | shared office space. It is a great way to keep |
| The home office is the least expensive of the | | | | costs low while growing your law firm, and |
| options. Additionally, the expense is not ongoing - | | | | maintaining the look of an established law firm. |
| once you outfit your home office with furniture | | | | At the end of the day, your office says a lot |
| and technology, there really isn't a further | | | | about who you are as an attorney, but also as a |
| expense until something needs to be replaced. Be | | | | businessperson. Make wise choices now, so you |
| aware that some practice areas (i.e. criminal | | | | can thrive in the future. |