Law Firm Office Design: Creating Workspaces That Work for Legal Teams

Redefining Office Design in the Legal Sector

Thoughtful office design, fit-out, and refurbishment in the legal sector create spaces that foster well-being, encourage staff retention, and adapt to the evolving needs of the workplace. Law firms routinely commit to leases of 10 to 15 years, which makes an adaptable office environment a long-term strategic priority rather than a short-term expense. Our experience working with firms like Squire Patton Boggs and Latham & Watkins shows that modern legal spaces are not just about function, but about embodying a firm’s identity and values.

Hybrid working has moved well beyond the experimental phase in the legal sector. The Thomson Reuters Institute’s Law Firm Office Attendance Policies Report found that 57% of legal professionals rated satisfaction with their firm’s attendance policies at eight out of ten or above, while 46% were voluntarily attending four or more days a week. By 2025, 91% of UK businesses were offering some form of flexible arrangement, and 28% of the wider UK workforce had settled into hybrid patterns as a permanent fixture. For law firms, this means office spaces need to earn the commute, blending areas for focused, confidential work with settings that encourage the collaborative and social interactions people value most when they are on site.

As these working patterns mature, the need for spaces that promote transparency, inclusivity, and well-being continues to grow. Staff attraction and retention remain among the top challenges in the profession, with a 2026 QBE risk report noting that healthy working practices and supportive environments deliver both fewer errors and a genuine strategic advantage. Through our design approach, we aim to create environments that meet these demands, spaces that can evolve alongside the firms themselves, providing value not only in how they perform but in how they foster connection and collaboration.

For firms weighing a new lease or a refurbishment of an existing space, the opportunity is clear. The workplace has become a tool for reinforcing culture, impressing clients, and supporting the professional development that keeps talented people engaged. Our focus remains on helping law firms make the most of that opportunity with design that balances tradition with forward-thinking flexibility, allowing each firm to stay true to its ethos while preparing for whatever comes next.

Contents

1. How Can Office Design Help to Balance Different Styles of Working?
   
2. Insights from Workplace Studies
   
3. Inclusivity and De-hierarchisation
   
4. How Can Law Firms Improve Client Experience and First Impressions?
   
5. What Considerations Are Needed for Space Utilisation & Collaboration?
   
6. Thoughts on the Likely Future of Office Design in the Legal Sector in the Age of Generative AI
   

How Can Office Design Help to Balance Different Styles of Working?

The tug-of-war between traditional office mandates and the desire for increased flexibility is at the forefront of office design considerations. Joe Patrice, senior editor of “Above the Law” argues in a rather compelling analysis that Biglaw firms often mistakenly believe they have the leverage to enforce hard-line in-office work mandates, underestimating the desire of lawyers for a more flexible work environment.

Different Approaches to Work Flexibility

Law firms have taken different stances on the return to the office following the pandemic. Some believe that the job market allows them to mandate strict in-office work policies.  For example, the recent decision by Weil, Gotshal & Manges’s London office, in alignment with its U.S. base, mandates attorneys to be present in the office for at least four days a week. They’ve justified this by citing the benefits of regular in-person work, such as improved training, better mentorship, morale enhancement, and accelerated professional development. Firms like Ropes & Gray and Vinson & Elkins have also instituted similar four-day in-office policies in recent months.

Yet, while these U.S.-based firms are seemingly leaning into this “market leverage”, their U.K. counterparts tell a different story. Many U.K. firms have yet to implement stringent in-office requirements. In fact, U.S. law firms like Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson have offered their London-based lawyers the choice to work from home for an entire month. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, show particular interest in the hybrid working debate with the line “Talent Mandatory. Office Optional”. As John Quinn Notes:

I personally think there’s no turning back to a situation where everybody is expected to be in the office. […] On the one hand, we’re embracing work from anywhere and trying to make that useful and rewarding in its own way. But we recognise there are people who want to get back in the office – and how do we maximise that experience as well? That’s also going to probably include some redesign of office space. The office should be for situations where people congregate and get together, and we have to think about designing office spaces in ways that promote that.

To contextualise this, it’s pivotal to recognise the broader implications. While certain firms are hedging their bets on the tangible benefits of regular office attendance, they simultaneously tread the fine line of potentially estranging talent that cherishes work flexibility and a balanced life. In a domain where retaining and attracting top-tier talent is the sine qua non, such decisions could be fraught with unintended repercussions.

Reflecting on this, our article on hybrid office design has become ever-pertinent. It highlights that workplaces adopting a hybrid model early on are most likely to flourish. With data revealing that 85% of UK working individuals and 52% of US workers prefer a blend of home and office work, the writing is on the wall. Hybrid working is not a fleeting trend but rather an enduring evolution, reshaping the very fabric of traditional office culture. In this landscape, the astute firms will be those that calibrate their strategies to resonate with these shifting paradigms, seamlessly integrating the strengths of both in-office and remote work.

How Office Design Can Help Law Firms

The table below outlines the critical factors involved in modern law firm office design, along with descriptions and examples on how to achieve them. This table is a useful guide to creating a conducive, functional, and aesthetically appealing workspace that aligns with the firm’s values and meets the demands of modern legal practice.

Insights from Workplace Studies

The way people experience work has shifted substantially since the pandemic, and the evidence base has matured alongside it. Rather than relying on early-stage surveys from 2021 and 2022, law firms can now draw on several years of post-pandemic data to inform how their offices are planned and used. The picture that emerges is clear: the physical workspace matters more than ever, but for different reasons than before.

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report found that global employee engagement has fallen to just 21%, the sharpest decline since the height of pandemic lockdowns. In the UK, that figure drops to just 10%. Perhaps more telling for law firms is the finding that one in five employees worldwide reported experiencing daily loneliness, a figure that rises to 25% among fully remote workers. Engaged employees, by contrast, were 64% less likely to report feeling lonely. For a profession already associated with long hours and high pressure, these numbers underline the value of office environments that actively foster connection, not simply co-location.

The implications for collaboration spaces are significant. When people come to the office, they increasingly do so for the interactions they cannot replicate at home. Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index, based on a survey of 31,000 workers across 31 countries, found that 80% of the global workforce reports lacking the time or energy to do their job effectively, with employees interrupted on average every two minutes during core working hours. For law firms, this tension between the need for focused, uninterrupted work and the pull of collaborative interaction is a design challenge. The most effective workplaces provide both, with communal work areas and informal meeting settings sitting alongside soundproofed booths, private offices, and quiet zones that allow lawyers to concentrate without distraction.

Technology plays a growing role in bridging these different modes of working. According to CBRE research cited by Interaction, 70% of law firms are now prioritising technology investment in their office redesigns, with smart meeting rooms, AI-driven room booking systems, and digital-first environments becoming the new standard. Presence technology, which allows people to see which colleagues are in the office on any given day, has moved from novelty to practical expectation. These tools help firms make the most of hybrid working patterns by encouraging the spontaneous, in-person interactions that people value most.

Space utilisation remains one of the more pressing commercial questions for firms weighing up their real estate commitments. UK-wide data from early 2025 suggests that average daily office utilisation still sits in the high 30% range for many large occupiers, with a pronounced mid-week peak and much quieter Mondays and Fridays. A sustainable workstation utilisation target of 60% to 70% is now considered more realistic than the pre-pandemic assumption of 80% or above. For law firms on long leases, this creates both a risk and an opportunity. Firms that invest in flexible, reconfigurable layouts, including hot-desking, neighbourhood seating, and bookable meeting space, can reduce their footprint without sacrificing capacity, freeing up budget and floor area for the amenity and collaboration spaces that attract people back.

The broader market data support this shift. Knight Frank reported that London law firms leased 13.3% more office space in 2025 than in the previous year, with 83% of that take-up going to new-build or comprehensively refurbished stock. The trend is not about having less space, but about having better space. Firms are trading older, underused floors for higher-quality environments that justify the commute, support well-being, and reflect the firm’s brand and culture. For those planning a fit-out or refurbishment, these findings reinforce the case for investing in quality over quantity, creating workplaces that people genuinely want to use.

Inclusivity and De-hierarchisation

The design of a law firm’s office is much more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s an embodiment of the firm’s brand, values, and operational needs. Inclusivity and de-hierarchisation are becoming increasingly important and shaping the design of the workplace. Here are a few of the ways that’s happening:

• Natural Light Access for All: Equal access to natural light not only brings about health benefits, such as improved mood and productivity but also breaks down traditional barriers. By ensuring every employee, regardless of rank or role, has access to natural lighting, companies underscore the importance of every team member.
• Prayer Rooms for Diverse Faiths: Respecting and accommodating the diverse religious backgrounds of employees is essential in a globalised world. Incorporating dedicated prayer rooms is a testament to an organisation’s commitment to inclusivity. Such spaces allow individuals to observe their religious practices without feeling marginalised, fostering a culture of respect and unity.
• Multigender Facilities: The introduction of multigender toilets and changing areas is more than just a modern architectural trend; it’s a move towards acknowledging and validating the diverse gender identities that exist within the workforce. This approach breaks away from traditional binary norms, ensuring that every individual feels seen, valued, and accommodated.
• Transforming Corner Offices: Historically, the coveted corner office was a symbol of seniority and power, often creating a palpable divide between higher-ups and the rest of the staff. However, the transformation of these spaces into shared areas emphasises collaborative efforts over hierarchical structures. Such a move democratises space, creating an environment where knowledge sharing, teamwork, and cross-departmental collaboration are promoted over rank and status.

How Can Law Firms Improve Client Experience and First Impressions?

Client experience starts the moment they step into the office. The design and fit-out, especially in client-facing areas, play a significant role in shaping their perceptions and determining how they feel about the law firm. Law firms looking to fit out and refurbish their offices need to consider the following things:

• The Power of First Impressions: first impressions last whether it’s a visiting client or a new starter. If they walk into your office and find it cluttered, outdated, or disorganised, they might question your firm’s professionalism and capability. On the contrary, a modern, organised, and inviting reception can instantly communicate efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Reception Areas as Brand Ambassadors: The reception area acts as a physical embodiment of the firm’s brand. Whether it’s the choice of furniture, the lighting, the artwork, or even the magazines on the table – every element should convey the firm’s ethos, culture, and commitment to excellence.
• Client Comfort and Amenities: Ensuring that clients are comfortable while they wait can convey care and attention. Providing amenities like refreshments, a comfortable seating area, free Wi-Fi, and updated reading materials can enhance the client’s overall experience.
• Privacy Considerations: Law firms often deal with sensitive information. Even in reception areas, clients should feel that their confidentiality is maintained. This could be achieved by having private nooks or areas where clients can sit without being overheard, or even by incorporating soundproofing elements in the design.
• Wayfinding and Accessibility: A client’s experience isn’t just about the aesthetics; it’s about functionality too. Clear signage, easily accessible areas, and intuitive design that guides clients seamlessly through the office can enhance their experience.
• Incorporating Technology: Modern law firm designs often incorporate technology in client areas. This could be in the form of digital check-in kiosks (see our work for DTRE as an example), interactive displays showcasing the firm’s achievements, or even screens that provide clients with updates about their appointment status.

What Considerations Are Needed for Space Utilisation & Collaboration?

Law firms are faced with numerous challenges when it comes to selecting, designing and optimising workspaces. The list below captures a few things that you might want to consider. Of course, each space is different so for a more hands-on approach we suggest speaking to our professional team of office designers and project managers who can help you flesh out the details.

1. Allow for Scalablility in your Workspace: when reviewing spaces consider how they can be designed to scale up or down. Opt for furniture and partitions that can be reconfigured as teams grow, shrink, or change.
2. Review Global Connectivity: Meeting rooms should be optimised for international conference calls, incorporating state-of-the-art video conferencing systems, translation services, and time zone displays.
3. Consider High-Security Private Areas: With sensitive global cases, secure spaces are paramount. It’s worth investing in advanced soundproofing, office pods, meeting booths, signal-blocking areas, and in some cases biometric access for rooms meant for top confidentiality.
4. Create a Workplace for a Unified Digital Experience: As attorneys work across multiple global offices, transitioning between work and home, ensuring a consistent digital experience is paramount. Implement unified IT systems, standardised software tools, and global access to digital resources. We can support you with a range of office tech from tech-enhanced office pods and booths to meeting booking systems.
5. Consider Wellness and Culture Zones: Recognise the diverse cultures and backgrounds of a global team. Create spaces that celebrate this diversity, along with wellness areas that cater to different regional relaxation practices.
6. Sustainability & Global Responsibility:  Elevate your workspace with design elements that underscore sustainability, such as incorporating sustainability programmes (e.g. BREEAM and LEED) and ESG goals. It’s best to start early and consider implementing your sustainability right at the beginning of your office fit out – as we did for DTRE in applying to achieve their BREEAM accreditation.
7. Space for Innovations Labs: Dedicate spaces for innovation, where teams can experiment with new legal tech tools, and research methodologies, or brainstorm disruptive solutions.
8. Training & Development Hubs: The next five years will witness rapid advancements in legal tech. It’s worth integrating this into your design with dedicated spaces equipped with the latest tools and tech for continuous training and development.
9. Cultural & Artistic Touchpoints: Maintain a global yet local approach. Incorporating art and design elements from various regions where the firm operates, ensures employees and clients feel a connection to the global brand and also supports general wellbeing in the workplace.
10. Feedback-Driven Evolution: With the growing use of smart office tech, analytics and feedback tools can continually gauge space utilisation and employee satisfaction. This data-driven approach can help you to make iterative improvements to your office space.

Thoughts on the Likely Future of Office Design in the Legal Sector in the Age of Generative AI

Generative AI has gained immense traction publically and with that, it’s created numerous legal and regulatory challenges, especially in areas of data regulation, intellectual property, and competitive markets. With concerns ranging from potential copyright infringements to privacy issues, regulatory bodies globally are racing to catch up. Innovative law firms like Linklaters have embraced the opportunity and integrated AI into their services – their article “Riding the Wave of Generative AI” makes compelling reading.

So what does AI mean for office design? Well in the next 5-10  years, we would wager that the legal sector is poised for a rapid transformation unlike any period before, primarily driven by the capabilities and challenges of generative AI and advanced computing. For law firms, this isn’t just about changing practices or adopting software. It demands a holistic re-evaluation and redesign of the very fabric of the workplace. Here are some of the things that could come into play:

1. The Data-Centric Office: At the heart of AI’s capabilities is data. Given the heightened scrutiny around data collection and use, future law offices will need to prioritise robust, secure, and compliant data storage solutions. We can envision dedicated data hubs within firms, fortified by state-of-the-art security measures. These hubs would not only be digital repositories but also collaborative spaces where legal professionals, data scientists, and AI specialists converge to mine insights and craft strategies.
2. Collaborative AI-Human Zones: With AI playing a critical role in research, analytics, and predictive modelling, law offices will need designated spaces that foster human-AI collaboration. These zones, equipped with interactive displays, virtual reality interfaces, and real-time analytics dashboards, would be the nerve centres where lawyers harness AI’s prowess to expedite case reviews, conduct deep dives into legal precedents, and strategise.
3. Learning & Adaptation Areas: Considering the rapid pace of AI and the consequent regulatory changes, there will be a pressing need for continuous learning. Modern law offices might house state-of-the-art training rooms, hosting regular workshops on the latest AI tools, techniques, and relevant legal frameworks. Think of them as classrooms of the future, seamlessly blending traditional legal knowledge with cutting-edge tech insights.
4. Flexible Office Designs for Evolving Needs: Given the dynamic nature of AI’s development and its legal implications, law offices would benefit from modular designs. Spaces that can be easily reconfigured would allow firms to adapt quickly to new technologies or regulatory demands, ensuring they remain agile and ahead of the curve.
5. Offices Providing AR/VR Engagement: With generative AI’s influence extending to areas like the gaming industry and the metaverse, law firms might have dedicated virtual office space for AR/VR. Lawyers could consult, negotiate, and even represent clients in AI-generated environments, demanding a blend of the physical and the virtual in-office designs.
6. Ethical and Regulatory Compliance Centers: Lastly, with AI ushering in complex ethical dilemmas and regulatory challenges, law firms may host specialised departments or centres focusing solely on AI ethics and compliance. These departments would serve as the firm’s conscience and guidepost, ensuring that while they harness AI’s potential, they also remain firmly grounded in ethical and legal principles.