5 Places to Work if You Don't Have an Office

Last week, we considered whether an attorney actually needs an office. While some attorneys may prefer to work from home while meeting clients in the outside world, we noted that attorneys should consider their type of practice, their clientele, personal work habits, and the real estate market before deciding on a work space.

Hey, times are tough. If you can’t afford that office with a window you have always coveted, or if you've simply decided that a life spent wedged behind a desk isn't for you, here are five places to work if you don't have a traditional office.

1. Coffee shops. Outlets? Check. Wi-Fi? Check. Caffeine? Yes, please! The coffee shop is the de facto workplace for those who don't want to be cooped up in an office.
2. Your client's place. Why should your client have to come to you? Pack up your laptop or tablet and head to your client's office or home for a meeting.
3. Parks. If it's a nice day, take your work outside. The downside to working in a park is that you probably will not have access to Wi-Fi or an outlet. Be sure to fully charge your devices before heading to the great outdoors. If you have an aircard, bring it, too. If you don't have an aircard, consider using your phone as a mobile hotspot.
4. Libraries. If the smell of books ignites your lawyering senses, find a spot near the stacks to set up shop for the day. Your local public library may be full of squealing kids in the afternoon -- libraries are no longer quiet -- so a nearby law school library could be a better bet.
5. Restaurants and Diners. Most of us eat at our desks anyway, so why not bring that same multi-tasking efficiency to a non-traditional workspace? You may get some dirty looks for setting up your computer in a five-star restaurant, but most casual dining establishments won't care as long as you don't linger during rush periods. Restaurants can also be great meeting locations, according to Inc.

Thanks to cloud storage, Wi-Fi, and mobile phones, leasing an office is no longer necessary. If you can remain focused, you can run a small practice without paying rent on workspace.

Related Resources:

• Small Firm Start-Up: What Tech Do You Need? (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Small Firm Staffing: Is It Time to Offer Unpaid Internships? (FindLaw's Strategist)
• A Wee Time Management Question: Do You Bill for Bathroom Breaks? (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)