Occupancy planning for success

Offi ce spaceas smart as your legal advice

Procuring attractive offi ce space with the latest technology is a prerequisite that often collides with the aforementioned mandates. One solution which successfully reconciles these disparate goals is occupancy planning, a technology-enabled approach to maximizing space utilization. Our strategies will save you money and increase effi ciencies while aligning your real estate with your fi rm culture and overall business objectives.

Your vision of the future

Key areas affecting real estate decisions today: the hard questions and issues of consideration

Retention and attraction of attorneys● Offi ce size● Access to transportation● Image and culture● Access to parking and amenities

Business development● How much space will I need to control in order to

support our business growth objectives?● How can I promote innovation?● Will my offi ce space refl ect my fi rm’s identity and

brand?

Effi ciency and cost● Decreased sf per attorney● Less space for support areas and changing

support ratios (secretaries to professionals)● Shrinking libraries/expanding conference and

litigation (war/case) rooms● Relocating or outsourcing support functions

Mergers and acquisitions● Termination/expansion options?● Will my lease interfere with a merger or

acquisition?● What can I do to ensure fl exibility to exploit

opportunities that arise?

Something to think about

Law fi rms today are charged with increasing profi t margins while simultaneously reducing costs and overhead.

Have you considered your construction costs?Construction costs nationally have risen steadily over the past few years, driven by increases both in labor and materials, where domestic consumers now must compete with China and India for periodically scarce supplies of construction components.

What are industry peers doing with their space? We suggest performing a benchmarking analysis to compare your space use to that of several of your peers, along several key metrics. The results of this study may surprise you.

540 rsf/fl x 8 fl = 4,320 rsf x $120/rsf construction = $518,4004,320 rsf X $100/rsf = $432,000

For savings of $86,400

Ave. 1,200 rsf/fl workroom space, $50/rsf vs. $100/rsf conference room space1,200 rsf x $50/rsf (construction) x 7 fl = $420,000

1000 rsf x $50/rsf x 10 yrs x 8 fl r = $4,000,000

Ave. 2,350 rsf x $50/rsf x 10 yrs = $1,175,000

Ave. 472 rsf x $50/rsf x 10 yrs x 7 fl rs = $1,652,000

Provide appropriate workrooms so boxes are not stored in higher cost conference room space

Flexible workspaces/standardized sizes(paralegals and secretarys in modular furniture, std. assoc. offi ces) to achieve planning effi ciencies

Reduction in library size(assumes 4,700 rsf reduced 50%)

Elimination of multiple reception areas(assumes 8 fl oors total)

Total potential cost savings $7,333,400

Potential cost savings - based on 200,000 rsf space @ $50/rsf

Offi ce space that supports your business goals

Business goal Proactive space design strategy

The bottom line

Concentrate high-end design spaces together to reduce construction costs and streamline servicing of space

Can you accommodate infl uxes and egresses of staff?With the rising trend of contract attorneys, is your space fl exible enough to expand and contract as needed? We will help you maximize your space utilization by providing you with the fl exibility to adapt your space to changing needs.

How attractive is your space to potential recruits—and does it accurately convey your fi rm’s identity?Your space should be a refl ection of your fi rm’s culture. Moreover, it should be sophisticated enough to attract top talent; but that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar.

Examine offi ce standards and implement appropriate and standardized offi ce sizes

Create gathering spaces such as combined pantry/copy rooms or interactive common spaces like lunchrooms or lounges

Implement standardized offi ce sizes to restack and move practice groups together—move people not walls

Incorporate technology, create multiple room sizes, centralize conference space

Capture back unused space—eliminate multiple reception areas, reduce the library, create fl exible offi ce modules for support staff

Grow fi rm without growing space

Provide appropriate conference space

Realign practice groups

Encourage collaboration

Reduce real estate costs

©2008 Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is from sources deemed reliable; however, no representation or warranty is made to the accuracy thereof.

www.jonelanglasalle.com

We are the best representatives of a comprehensive real estate approach.Selecting a new space is about more than the aesthetics. Jones Lang LaSalle can guide you through the process so that at its conclusion you achieve the most economic real estate deal, with the greatest functionality and effi ciency, which refl ects your fi rm’s culture and image.

We do our homework.Jones Lang LaSalle gathers all information required to execute the best occupancy plan for your needs. We collect intelligence on your competitors and we track local and national planning trends. This strong foundation provides you with the tools to make the best decisions.

We understand the process, beginning to end.Our dedicated occupancy analysis and planning professionals have comprehensive architecture and interior architecture backgrounds. They are LEED accredited and extremely knowledgeable about sustainable design trends and practices. Our holistic approach to the real estate process allows us to weave together your business goals with an integrated real estate plan. This results in a creatively effi cient and well-functioning space that reduces costs and overhead while allowing you to increase your profi t margins.

Why Jones Lang LaSalle?