Workplace experience is taking its place as a strategic priority in 2024. According to CBRE’s most recent Bright Insights, law firms are placing workplace experience in their top three strategic real estate objectives for 2024 — alongside preparing for the “future of work.” It is important to note that workplace experience and the future of work outrank business priorities commonly seen in previous years such as optimizing the real estate portfolio, diving cost savings, and supporting ESG goals.
There’s a reason why these strategic priorities have shifted firms: in a law firm, the workplace is more than just a physical space; it’s the nucleus of collaboration, innovation, and client service. As the world ushers in a new era post-pandemic of hybrid operations, it’s really no surprise that workplace experience is a top, strategic lever law firm leaders are driving in conjunction with re-envisioning the space their professionals are occupying, including:
- 77% of law firms have implemented or considering universal office sizes for all attorneys
- 63% of law firms have implemented or are considering desk sharing or hoteling for attorneys
- 42% of law firms have implemented or are considering smaller offices and or workstations
- 31% of law firms report their footprint to be moderately smaller in 2024
- 14% of law firms believe their footprint will be moderately larger
