Renting your first New York City law office space can be an exciting turning point for your business. Follow these tips to ensure you pick the right one!
Moving into a law office, especially when it is your first one, is not a quick or easy process and it always results in lost billable time. Renting your first office space can be an exciting turning point for your business.
But choosing just any office for your firm would be a mistake. You need to make sure that your office is one that will support your new practice, put you in a place that will help you succeed and allow you to grow and thrive. Below are 5 things to consider when looking for your first New York City law office rental.
Location, Location, Location
For most law firms, the location is likely the most important consideration when renting your first law office space. You first need to ensure that the office will be close enough to transportation and convenient for your clients to meet you in the city. Also, while it isn’t the most important thing, you will still want to consider the building that the office is in. Is it a nicer/new building, is there security 24/7, etc. These things most likely won’t be the difference between a client hiring your or not, but they could have little impact here and there.
Set A Budget And Stick To It
After location, cost is likely your next big concern. Don’t choose an office that is going to put your business too far into debt and stunt its growth. Crunch the numbers before you even start looking to find a budget that will allow you to operate comfortably
Who Do You Want To Work With Every Day?
Law is a profession that is most successfully practiced in collaboration with other lawyers. The ability to brainstorm and get advice about legal issues or practice strategies is essential to everyday practice.
But who you find in a shared office space may be a mixed bag.
In a typical New York City law office rental, you may find lawyers who are open to collaboration. These are typically office situations where there are a number of small law firm subtenants.
Executive suites can be a more collaborative environment, but unless you rent from an executive suite for law firms, you may find an odd mix of clientele ranging from traders to tailors. Different professionals have different work habits that don’t always lend well to sharing space attorneys, who require quiet and, above all, privacy.
What Amenities Are A Must?
Once you know your budget, think about all the services your firm needs (internet, phone service, copy machines, reception services, HVAC, cleaning, kitchen pantry, etc.). It’s best to group these services into three categories:
- What you absolutely require.
- What would be nice to have.
- What you can definitely live without.
When looking at different office options, in order to compare “apples to apples” you need to really understand what is included as part of the deal. If the services your firm absolutely requires are not included (or are inadequate), then you will have to pay for these things on your own. One or two of these items can significantly increase the cost of your law office rental.
Think Long-Term
You will need a large enough space for the members of your team to each have a desk or place to sit. But you don’t want something so large that you’re paying for entire rooms that you never use. But leave yourself some room to grow. A bit of extra space can be a good thing, especially if you plan to grow within the length of your lease. Even a few extra cubicle spaces or some room to add a few desks can be helpful.
