There are several main points that you need to consider when it comes to office space planning for your law firm. The number and type of personnel will influence the size and layout of your offices. In addition, the office space layout should accommodate the major elements of a law firm.
First, consider the different types of personnel and the sizes of offices needed for each type. Partners and associates usually have their own offices. Partners tend to have larger offices while associates are placed in smaller offices. Often, the partners occupy corner and window offices.
Second, consider the support staff such as, legal assistants, an office manager, secretaries, and clerks. Consider the placement of each type of supporting staff member. The common options include grouping staff members by type in an open work area, positioning them in their own cubicle, or a private office. The types of staff members that are grouped in open areas and cubicles are typically secretaries. Legal assistants and the office manager often receive their own private office or cubicle. Clerks are usually positioned in the file rooms and the receptionist is located up front in the waiting area.
Third, you’ll need to account for necessary elements, such as amenities, equipment, and other resources. Think about the number of conference rooms and board rooms that are necessary as well as the size of these rooms. Will you store your library of books and other resources in the conference room, house them in a room of their own, or place them in an open area?
You’ll need to store hard copy documents and files in a file room. It’s wise to start with a large file room, so there is room to expand by adding more file cabinets. Think about the spacing between rows of file cabinets, so that the drawers are fully extendable.
Aside from hard copy documents, you’ll need a server room that’s equipped to handle the equipment. This room should be able to handle the cooling and ventilation demands of the computer hardware. Your daily backup records should be stored in a friendly environment as well.
Next, you’ll need to plan for a work station that may include copy machines, fax machines, supplies, and any other equipment. Typically, a separate room is dedicated to the workstation as well as the accompanying equipment.
The main points around personnel and the necessities of your firm are a great start planning your office space layout. Now that you know what all you need in your office and the preliminary sizing requirements, the next step is to think about what size office space you need.