Colin Scarlett of Colliers International completed a 16-city tour of the world’s top law firms and observed they are changing their focus from simply providing sound legal advice to delivering a top-notch service experience also. Trends included employing concierges in place of the traditional receptionist to give clients the red carpet treatment. Open office layouts are becoming the new norm in the UK and Australia, which ‘fosters collaboration and knowledge transfer among associates, translating to a better-informed team and a higher level of client service.’

No longer 'all work and no play' environments

Many firms are also no longer “all work and no play” environments: one in Washington, D.C. has a ping-pong table, while another in New York has a pizza oven. Furthermore, firms are increasingly willing to accommodate employees’ need to balance work and home life. A firm in London designed a home office shed that can be installed in an employee’s garden so that they can work from home, helping to retain highly talented lawyers who wish to spend more time with their family. Finally, firms are increasingly using their office to make a statement: ‘letting their layout and location speak volumes in terms of their image, market differentiator, talent pool and strategy.’Source: Colliers International