the transformation of the legal workplace · the workplace implications on space, culture, and how...

The Transformation of the Legal Workplace

The Legal Workplace

1. Workplace Trends

Trends Influencing Law Firms

2. The Transcending Space Plan

Traditional, Transitional, and Trendsetting

3. A Well-Informed Space

The Influence of Ergonomics

Workplace Solutions 1. Private Offices

2. Teaming & Internal Meetings

3. Paralegal & Administrative Assistant

4. Customer Areas

5. Our Workspace Approach

6. Seating Selections

Importance of Sustainability

About Us

Contents

The Legal WorkplaceTrends Influencing Law Firms

As Traditionalists and Baby Boomers retire, will the way legal work is accomplished change from what we know today? What will it look like in five years, ten years, or even twenty years?

The last decade exploded with technological advancements and significant shifts in demographics. Change is far from over. Some experts say these trends will revolutionize the way businesses operate and how people live and work.

Demand for efficiency, innovation, and the attraction of both Millennial and Generation Z talent, while implementing groundbreaking technology are a few of the issues companies must address. The legal practice is not immune to these trends and continues to evolve to stay relevant.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the shifts and trends impacting the legal practice.

1 Deloitte Future Trends for Legal Services, Global Research Study, 20162 American Lawyer, 20163 ABA Profile of the Legal Profession, 20194 The Balance Careers – Trends That Are Reshaping the Legal Industry, 2019

of lawyers think AI tools will be mainstream in the legal

profession in 3–5 years3

Electronically stored

information such as

e-mails, instant messages,

voicemails, e-calendars,

graphics and data on

handheld devices are

36% of all lawyers are female in

2019 compared to 3% in 1970.3

36%

of clients review their legal

suppliers or will do so in the

next 12 months1

55%

3%1970 2019

36%

made discoverable in litigation by the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure 4

10%of lawyers say their firms

use Artificial Intelligence-

based technology tools

38% of attorneys will retire

in 10 years2

1946 – 1964Baby Boomer

1965 – 1976Generation X

1977 – 1995Millennial /

Generation Y

1996 – TBDCentennials / Generation Z

1922 – 19455

Traditionalist / Silent Generation

Trends Influencing Law Firms Continued

Law School Trends8

For the first time in the nation’s history, Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials will be working together in the legal field.6 Each generation has different work-life balance styles and aspires to different rewards.

Currently, 36% of attorneys are female, that is up from 27% in 2000.7 We are

on the tip of five generations in the workplace, presenting an opportunity for substantial changes in workplace dynamics. Law firms are placing greater emphasis on multi-generational collaboration to spark continuous learning, mentoring, and embed company values.

Numerous influencers and trends are driving change in the legal field. To understand the workplace implications on space, culture, and how work gets done, the following need to be considered:

In 2014, there were more first-time female students than male students entered in law school. 50.3% of all students pursuing Juris Doctorate (JD) degrees were female. Since then, women continue to outnumber male law students. In 2018, the percentage of female students rose to 52.4%.

Demographics and Multi-Generational Workforce

5 The Center for Generational Kinetics, Generational Breakdown: Info About All of the Generations, 2016, https://genhq.com/faq-info-about-generations/ 6 The Balance Careers, June 20197 American Bar Association, Profile of the Legal Profession, 20198 American Bar Association, Profile of the Legal Profession, 2019

Reports indicate that the generational age differs slightly within the legal practice. Below are the most current generations found in the industry today.

• Demographics and multi-generational workforce• Law school enrollment • Real estate considerations• Delivery of services and billing models• Enhancing collaboration and employee experience• Technology• Talent attraction and retention


Enrollment for 1970 – 2013 includes all students, but for 2014 to present only JD students

Law School Enrollment: 2017 – 2018 by Gender

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 20180

Male

Female

Total Law School Enrollment: 1970 – 2018

140,000

100,000

60,000

20,000

120,000

80,000

40,000

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 20180

Law School Enrollment: 2019 by Ethnicity

Caucasian Latino African-American

Asian Other0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Minority enrollment has gradually risen too. In 1978, minorities represented only 9% of law student enrollment. Today, 63% of law students are Caucasian, 13% Latino, 8% African-American, 6% Asian, and 10% other.

Generally, law school enrollment is up 1.2% in 2018 over the previous year, but below the 2010 high. Enrollment for non-Juris Doctor degrees in law schools is growing faster than JD degrees.

The cost of real estate ranks second behind the cost of employee salaries in law firms. Firms are leveraging the long-term cost savings that a well planned work environment can provide. A workplace that can change as the organization demands can enhance a firm’s ability to adapt to evolving needs.

As the Partner population shifts towards the next generations, firms are rethinking work processes, pricing, infrastructure, and administrative support to deliver legal services more efficiently and cost effectively. The impact to real estate occurs when practices increase the use of teams, reduce private office size, change quantity of in-house staff, or outsource services.

The savings of reducing office size by 100 square feet at a lease rate of $50 per square foot can efficiently deliver savings of $250,000 a year or $2.5 million over a 10-year lease.

A few years ago, firms were standardizing on two standard office sizes – Partners at 225 square feet and Associates at 150 square feet. Today, firms are migrating to a standard size office for all attorneys ranging from 120 to 150 square feet, providing future flexibility, an increase in shared amenities, and greater focus on client areas. New research indicates that the ratio of attorney to administrative assistant is trending as high as 10:1.

9 CBRE, A Shifting Landscape: 2018 North American Legal Sector Trends, 201810 American Bar Association Journal, Law firms either keep up with tech or get left behind, 2019

Real Estate Considerations9

Delivery of Services and Billing Models10

Today, clients can seek legal services from a growing list of sources, including legal technicians, self-help sites, and virtual assistants. The easy accessibility to these new options enables individuals to address their legal matters quickly and frequently offer lower rates.

Competitive pressure and efforts to reign in legal costs have driven law firms away

from the traditional billable-hour model. New alternative billing models such as flat, fixed, blended, or capped fees are replacing the long-standing traditional model. Countless firms continue to look for alternative billing methods to meet the needs of cost-conscious clients and foster long-term relationships.


0

100

200

50

150

250

Previous Years

Current

Office Square Footage

Partners

Associates

The increased need to collaborate within the office is changing the ratio between the amount of space devoted to individual workspace versus the amount of space dedicated to conference, training, and team areas. The old standard of hiring an associate or promoting an associate to partner and the proverbial move to the corner window office is gradually shifting. Research suggests that workplace design trends are driving law firms to consider moving office spaces to the core. However, a large percentage are still positioning private offices on the perimeter, as shown on CBRE’s “shifting the needle” floor plan layouts.11

Interior modular glass walls are being installed to signal accessibility to partners, transparency and teaming for associates and supporting staff. While legal workplaces require private, confidential spaces, the increased need for collaboration is resulting in floorplans with glass walls and lowered panel heights, offering employees access to daylight and views, and increasing overall productivity and satisfaction. These changes also offer employees the benefit of access to daylight and views—increasing overall productivity and satisfaction.12

11 CBRE, A Shifting Landscape: 2018 North American Legal Sector Trends, 201812 Haworth, Design a Happier Workplace: 5 key design features that drive employee happiness, 2018

Increased Satisfaction

Increased Productivity

Access to Daylight and Views

Modular Glass Walls for Support StaffModular Glass Walls Teaming for Associates

Enhancing Collaboration and Employee Experience


Technology has dramatically changed many aspects of space allocation for all businesses, including law firms. Factors impacting reduced storage needs include technological advancements, integration, and changes in regulatory court system filing, which allows for document scanning, e-discovery, electronic filing, and the option to outsource storage needs.13

Cloud-based databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis are easily accessible on mobile devices and laptops, reducing the need for law libraries.14 This new-found space can be converted into restorative rooms, phone booths, impromptu meeting areas, lounge, office café, or staff refresh.

Spaces that support virtual/wireless communication, teleconferencing, and seamless work across multiple offices may be as crucial as traditional sites.

Future law workspaces need to flex and evolve to address the demands of both current and future generations— preferably without great expense and disruption to employee productivity, clients, and profits. As law firm trends mirror those in the corporate world, agility, wellness, and interactive work environments become increasingly desirable to enhance and support efficiency, recruiting, and new technologies.15

13 American Bar Association Journal, Law firms either keep up with tech or get left behind, 2019 14 LawSites, The 20 Most Important Legal Technology Developments of 2018 15 Law Practice Today, Workplace Technology Will Change the Law Office of the Future, 2018

The average lawyer telecommutes

40 days a year

43%Less than half of all lawyers have used an e-book

with legal-related subject matter

How Often Lawyers Telecommute

2 times a year or less

1 day per week

2 – 3 days a week

3- 11 times a year

1 – 3 days a month

12%

8%

18%

28%

33%Roughly half of all lawyers use

tablets to work on law-related

tasks away from the office.

49%

Technology


Attract and Retain New Hires

By 2025, 76 million Millennials will comprise nearly 75% of the world’s workforce.16 Recruiting and retaining this new workforce is critical to all businesses, including law firms. Competition for employees is time-consuming and expensive. It is estimated that to attract, recruit, train, and retain new law firm hires costs from $500,000 to $700,000 during the first three years.17 Lawyer wages on average have increased 9.3% from 2013 to 2018.18

Firms are working harder to retain talent and entice them to grow with the firm long-term. Some firms are joining the ranks of Fortune magazine’s list of “100 Best Places to Work” by providing innovative benefits, including employee childcare campuses close to the offices, paying 100% of employees’ healthcare costs, researching solutions for a mutually beneficial work/life balance, and most recently offering loan repayment programs.19 There is also an increased recognition that the workplace can be used as a tool for engagement, recruitment, and recognition. These benefit trends are indicative of the changing cultural attitudes, behaviors, and expectations of current and future generations.

16 The Grindstone, 2012 17 New York State Bar Association, 2011 18 American Bar Association, Profile of the Legal Profession, 2019 19 New York Times, Firms Offer Cash to Help New Lawyers Pay Student Debt, 2016

New Hire Costs$500 – $700k

in the first three years


The Transcending Space Plan

Work environments serve as the most significant visual investment in an organization’s culture and brand. Workplaces are experiential for clients, employees, and individuals who interact with your firm.

With the evolution of how people work and the increasing implementation of current corporate design trends, here are several approaches to law firm workplace design that depicts the Traditional, Transitional, and Trendsetting. Ultimately, workplace design should align with your organization’s needs, culture, and brand to create an experience that is unique to your firm.

Traditional, Transitional, and Trendsetting

Traditional Floorplate – the rise of the enclosed and private areas

Traditional legal space planning.

Private Office Workstation Collaboration Meeting

18,011

Usable square feet

157

Total headcount

37

Total private offices

106

Total workstations

4

Total meeting areas

10

Total collaboration / open areas

Statistics

TOMS-RTC-X

1/1

9/30/2019 8:57:01 PM

Transitional Floorplate – maximizing space and collaboration

Designed for increased collaboration via project team rooms, efficient space utilization and employee access

to daylight and views with reduction of private offices.


18,011Usable square feet

199 Total headcount

13Total private offices

163Total workstations

3 Total meeting areas

20Total collaboration / open areas

Statistics

FHC

9/30/2019 9:18:49 PM

Trendsetting Floorplate – a balanced integration of organic environments

Firms shifting to the Trendsetting floorplate are highly collaborative, prioritize efficient communications

over hierarchy, and reflect the innovative approach of corporate work environments.

18,011

Usable square feet

113

Total headcount

23

Total private offices

62

Total workstations

4

Total meeting areas

24

Total collaboration / open areas

LOBBYELEVATOR

43-1/4"43-1/4" 43-1/4"

27-1

/8"

2LS

ET-1

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HDMI 6'HDMI DUP 6'

HDMI 15'

N15

N15

N15

N15

N15

N15

N15

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N15

N15

N15

N15

N15

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N15

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HCPF-ASTT-THCPF-ASTT-T

1 111

2' -4

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16' -0"

9/30/2019 9:44:09 PM


Statistics

Square Feet per Seat

Headcount

Open to Enclosed Ratio

Work Seat vs Collaboration Space

337

86

28% – 72%

61% – 39%

284

102

35% – 65%

48% – 52%

Stay the Course

Shift the Needle

A Shifting Landscape

Stay the Course Shift the Needle


Our Workspace Approach

Designing solutions that benefit people at work begins with understanding the physical relationship between a person and the work tools surrounding them. Our development approach aligns the needs of people alongside the desire for efficient space to optimize performance of the entire organization. We call this process Organic Workspace®. We start by learning the priorities of your firm that are driving a need for workplace change. Organic Workspace connects performance with workspace design, resulting in an environment crafted to activate organizational effectiveness, strengthen real estate efficiency and enrich the human experience at work.

We are at the forefront of global design trends and focus on continuous learning through collaborations with architecture, interiors, and design partners. Our strategy is to interpret trends and study how these affect clients.

One of our research partners is the Human Performance Institute at Western Michigan University – a relationship since 2004. Through on-site and in-lab assessments, we conduct qualitative and quantitative research testing to study the ergonomic impact of the latest seating technologies. As 75% of work in industrialized countries is performed while sitting.

Shelving30” x 7 = 210” LI

42” x 5 = 201” LI

96” x 3 = 288” LI

899” LI - 59 SF

File Drawer Storage(30)-26” x 4 = 104” LI

(42)-38” x 2 = 76” LI

(15)-11” x 1 = 11” LI

191’ LF

(1) Small Box Drawer

Horizontal Surface20” x 30” = 600 SI - 4.16 SF

20” x 60” = 1200 SI - 8.33 SF

24” x 96” = 2256 SI - 15.66 SF

30” x 54” = 1620 SI - 11.25 SF

39.4 SF

OfficeCirca 200015’ X 10’

Private OfficeCirca 2019 – 202015’ X 10’

Shelving78” x 1 = 78” LI

36” x 4 = 144” LI

18” x 4 = 72” LI (closed)

292” LI - 24.5 SF

File Drawer Storage(36)-32” x 3 = 96” LI

(15)-11” x 1 = 11” LI

107’ LF

(1) Small Box Drawer

(1) Wide Box Drawer

Horizontal Surface24” x 78” = 1872 SI - 13 SF

30” x 54” = 1620 SI - 11.25 SF

24” x 36” = 864 SI - 6 SF

30.25 SF

Workplace Solutions Private Offices

Workplace Solutions Teaming & Internal Meetings

Workplace Solutions Paralegal & Administrative

Workplace Solutions Customer Areas

Workplace Solutions Seating Selections

FernDesigned by Haworth Design Studio & ITO Design

Introducing the Fern task chair—the world’s first chair designed with edgeless comfort. Inspired by nature, Fern puts the person at the center of work with new levels of balance, flexibility, and performance.

DowntownDesigned by Jean Marie-Massaud

Leather upholstery that fits like a glove, a sculptural silhouette, and tone-on-tone stitching are hallmarks of Poltrona Frau’s Downtown. The profile stays slim by hiding the built-in mechanisms. Optional microperforation in the seat and backrest.

LotusDesigned by Cappellini’s Jasper Morrison

Lotus desk chairs and executive chairs are handcrafted and hand-detailed for a modern design aesthetic. They feature a comfortable, slightly reclined seat-to-back angle tilt, and height adjustment—ideal for private offices, boardrooms, and team spaces.

Importance of Sustainability Haworth is an industry leader in sustainable

practices. Caring for our environment has been

a long-held, company-wide value.

Haworth is committed to constantly evaluating and improving its own production processes and products from beginning to end- of-life.

We strive for solutions that are neutral to the environment, with positive impacts on human health. Our products are designed and built, leveraging global knowledge and best practices. Many of our products have earned top certifications, such as Greenguard® and BIFMA level™.

Haworth was the first office furniture manufacturer to achieve Zero-Waste-to-Landfill status in all of our global manufacturing facilities. We were also among the first in our industry to achieve ISO 14001 certification and we currently maintain it in our manufacturing facilities worldwide. The ISO 14001 process of “plan, do, check, and act” provides structure and accountability for pollution prevention and continuous improvement. With the advent of the first wellness-based building standard, pioneered by DELOS®, Haworth was eager to implement the WELL Building Standard both in our products and showrooms globally. Haworth has the first WELL Certified project in China - Shanghai showroom, as well as the first WELL certified office furniture showroom in the United States - LA showroom.

About UsWork happens everywhere. Every space

should be tailored to your business needs,

helping people do their best work while

optimizing real estate.

Founded by G.W. Haworth in 1948, Haworth is a privately held, global leader in delivering work environments that inspire people to do their best work. What began from humble roots — crafting wood furnishings in a Midwestern town on the shores of Lake Michigan — has evolved into a global company with 7,000 members across the world, who believe space can enrich lives and fuel organizational growth.

Over the years, our company has grown and evolved, investing in research, design, and acquisitions that expand our portfolio and network to meet changing market dynamics. We align our strategies to ensure we’re providing our customers with knowledge, innovation, design, and global expertise required to enable their success.

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The Transformation of the Legal Workplace

the transformation of the legal workplace · the workplace implications on space, culture, and how...

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