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Nothing But the Ruth!

If You Build It, Will They Come?

By Ruth Carter

Someone recently posed the following question on LinkedIn: Should a new solo attorney rent commercial space or work from home? The majority of respondents suggested she save her money and work from home. But it raised an interesting question. When should a law firm owner move from the home office to a commercial office arrangement?

What Are Your Options When You Leave a Home Office?

If you’re a solo practitioner, the first thing I wonder is why wouldn’t you work from home? You can work whenever you want, your commute is merely the time it takes to walk from your bedroom to your office, and you can work in your pajamas if you’re so inclined. Those who need an office outside the home are people who may be distracted by children or pets, or who avoid working by doing household chores or watching TV.

Some solos are comfortable having clients come to their homes for consultations, but if that’s not you, there are other places to meet with clients. I don’t recommend coffee shops because of confidentiality issues. If you don’t meet your clients at their place of business, you’ll need to find a conference room. You can rent these by the hour at a business center. Or you may be able to use a colleague’s conference room for no cost, or an association you belong to may let members use theirs at little or no cost.

If you don’t meet with clients in person frequently, a so-called virtual office facility is an awesome option. Found in most larger cities, these facilities give you a mailing address, receptionist service and an office to meet with clients two to five days a month. Renting one of these often costs the same as a few hours of your services. Also, they may have mixers—a great way to network with others who use the space. There may be extra fees for renting a conference room, using the printer or copy machine, and parking.

If you’re planning to bring in employees or partners, and you’re going to be frequently meeting with clients, renting a commercial office space may be the better way to go. Also, an office will give you a more visible presence in the community—a great asset if you live in a smaller city or are setting up shop in a niche neighborhood. This doesn’t matter as much if you live in a big city where your “storefront” may not be seen by many prospective clients. Maintaining work-life balance may be easier with a separate office, too, because you can keep your two worlds apart. But this is the most expensive option because, depending on your setup, you will have to pay for rent, utilities, furniture, insurance and other equipment and supplies.

To make a decision, you have to consider where you’ll be the most productive, and what situation will give you the most bang for your buck. I started my practice from home, but now I’m considering moving into a virtual office facility at a business center. I’m asking myself questions like:

  • How much will this cost?
  • How much time will I really spend there?
  • How will the extra costs add up?
  • Do I need two to five days a month to meet with clients?
  • Do I want to group my client meetings to fit into two to five days a month?
  • What do I gain by doing this compared to using the conference rooms at my state bar’s office for free?

I love being able to work from home (in my pajamas right now), but what works for me may not work for you. Just be sure to consider all of your options and lay out all the costs—both time and money— before you sign a lease or contract.

Ruth Carter is a lawyer, writer and speaker. Her virtual practice, The Carter Law Firm, focuses on intellectual property, social media, First Amendment and flash mob law. Named an ABA Journal 2012 Legal Rebel, Ruth is a 2011 graduate of Arizona State University College of Law and co-founder of Improv Arizona. In her Attorney at Work column “Nothing But the Ruth,” she writes about the lessons she’s learning while building her new virtual practice. She also blogs weekly at UndeniableRuth.com.

Illustration © ImageZoo

Categories: Daily Dispatch, Managing a Law Firm, New Lawyers, Nothing But The Ruth!
Originally published February 4, 2013
Last updated May 1, 2018
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Ruth Carter Ruth Carter

Ruth Carter — lawyer, writer and professional speaker — is Of Counsel with Venjuris, focusing on intellectual property, business, internet and flash mob law. Named an ABA Journal Legal Rebel, Ruth is the author of “The Legal Side of Blogging for Lawyers,” as well as “Flash Mob Law: The Legal Side of Planning and Participating in Pillow Fights, No Pants Rides, and Other Shenanigans.” Ruth blogs at GeekLawFirm.com and UndeniableRuth.com.

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