You don’t want a lawyer with a fancy office

My first family-law job was at a traditional firm in Santa Monica. The partner I worked for had a corner office with an ocean view and two full-time legal assistants. His overhead was substantial. Although the firm paid those expenses, clients ultimately funded them through their legal bills.

Law firms once operated under a very different model, shaped largely by the technology available. Without electronic research, firms invested in extensive libraries of legal books. Documents were prepared on typewriters, often from a lawyer’s dictation. Billing, records, and payments relied on paper, checks, and the mail. A large office and support staff served practical needs as well as projecting an image.

The work has changed

Technology has changed that model, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Documents are prepared on computers, research is available electronically, and many filings can be submitted online. When I began practicing, couriers picked up paper filings, delivered them to court for stamping, and brought them back. Much of that work can now be handled electronically.

I keep my overhead low so I can focus resources on client work. I understand why a beautiful office might inspire confidence, but the office tells you little about the quality of the advice you will receive.

Look at the service behind the setting

Here is an experiment: think of the law firms you see advertising large offices and expensive amenities, then read what their clients say about the service. Evaluate those reviews critically, but pay attention to the details about communication, billing, and follow-through.

An expensive office is not proof of excellent service, and a modest office is not proof of poor service. What matters is the lawyer’s judgment, preparation, and attention to your case. Lower overhead can make it easier to deliver that work without unnecessary expense.