A typical lease agreement can be out of reach for an attorney, but an NYC virtual office may be the best option to save money and invest elsewhere.
For some, virtual offices are newer concept and are initially met with confusion. If one gets past the confusion, he or she will find that an NYC virtual office parallels a traditional office rental in many ways. With a virtual office agreement, you have the use of non-exclusive amenities and a premium commercial address without having to commit to an office space.
In addition to this, virtual office packages will often be priced much lower than an office rental.
In the New York City commercial real estate market, solo attorneys are one of the most common types of professional to frequent virtual offices. The purpose of signing a virtual office lease can vary from one attorney to the next.
Familiarity with workspace is a common theme among virtual office tenants. This familiarity may lie in an at-home set up or even an office out of state or in another city.
Having this local commercial address allows an attorney to conduct face-to-face interactions without having to sign a full blown office rental agreement.
In fact, many attorneys choose a New York City virtual office based on the address of the provider, thereby creating the image of the firms’ exclusivity and largess.
What gives an NYC virtual office its appeal?
A virtual office is usually something that is a secondary option for many attorneys. Their first plan is to find a physical office space, but when they see that they have very few to no options to meet their office space needs, they seek out an NYC virtual office. A virtual is cost-effective and at the end of the day, it’s about the attorney’s bottom line.
An NYC virtual office provides an element of convenience that is almost unmatched for the solo attorney because you have access to the office space when the need arises. Your expenses stay low because you only use the space temporarily and pay as you go.
Virtual packages are also commonly month-to-month; therefore, if the client finds an office set-up somewhere, they do not have to feel locked into a contract.
In addition to having a virtual office, you may have access to other traditional services like reception and mail servie. This can be part of your monthly package and other services like live reception or office equipment can be used for an additional fee.
Virtually office arrangements parallel a traditional shared office rental set-up a great deal; the main difference is the unbundled fees. The virtual office is perfect front for an attorney who likes to do things somewhere other than the traditional office setting but needs the amenities to maintain a level of professionalism. Moreover, virtual offices are perfectly fine in most regions to use as a genuine office.
When renting a virtual office from a provider who offers reception services as part of the package, your clients can go to the suite to drop off packages, and the law firm can receive service of process, mail and hand deliveries, whether the attorney is physically present in the office or not.
Different types of attorneys can benefit.
A virtual office rental is a viable option for any attorney looking to keep monthly overhead costs to a minimum. In our experience, Law Firm Suites has found three types of attorneys who choose to practice with a virtual office rental:
1. The “home-based” attorney.
An NYC virtual office can be beneficial for anyone, but it is often typical for the “home-based” attorney to frequent such a set up. Regardless of whether your office is adequate, at some point there will be a need for the amenities a virtual office provides.
Having reception services and a commercial mailing address are crucial for your image as an attorney. In the long run, one will see a significant difference in your marketing effort with an NYC virtual office.
2. The attorney starting a new practice.
When one sets out to tackle the colossal feat of starting a practice, he or she needs the right resources to get the job done. Money is essentially a resource that needs to be used sparingly in the beginning stages of opening up a practice. A virtual office is a good way to keep overhead low and takes away the financial risk associated with a traditional office set-up.
Also, in terms of attorney networking, virtual offices that are exclusive to attorneys provide a much needed network of potential referrals and knowledge needed for someone just starting out.
3. An out-of-state firm in need of a New York City presence.
Frequently, law firms with a main office in an adjoining state will choose a virtual office in a major urban area, like New York City, as an inexpensive alternative to maintaining a physical office in desired location. Often, their main office has adequate staff in their home office to handle any business they have, but choose a virtual office to access new legal markets and leverage the prestige a premium commercial office address in an urban center provides.
An NYC virtual office may just be up your alley. All it takes is the right mindset and you can be on your way to expanding or even starting your new firm with a plethora of opportunities provided in your arrangement.
