Thinking About Moving Your Firm? 3 Things to Consider First

Thinking about moving your law firm? For whatever reason, you may be itching to relocate. Maybe your current practice has just outgrown its physical space, or your commercial lease is ending soon and you'd rather not renew it.
No matter how many associates are at your firm, or if you're a sole practitioner, the bottom line is: Moving is a pain. It requires a very time-consuming process that involves coordination, meticulous planning, and a lot of tiring communication.
With that said, here are three big things to think about before you dive into the process of relocating your law firm:
1. Consider Your Clients.
Your move should not only be for the benefit of your firm, but for your clients as well. Will the new location be considerate of your clients? Think about the demographics that your practice caters to, and whether your new location will contribute to that.
Is it in a safe area? Is it still easily accessible to your current and prospective client base? Remember that with the move, it's not only you and your firm, but your clients that are coming with you.
2. Do You Really Need to Move?
Moving your office location is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. You especially shouldn't be moving for the wrong reasons. If you're unhappy, overworked, and burnt out, moving may not not the answer. Even if you feel that a change of scenery is the obvious solution, moving is not that kind of quick fix. Instead, consider reducing your client load, cleaning up the massive piles of documents on your desk -- or taking a strategic nap instead.
3. Alternatives.
Even if a move seems like the right decision, make sure you know your alternatives. For example, instead of a traditional move to another stuffy, dim office, have you thought about maybe saving some money and renting out a virtual office space instead? These days, anything, even lawyering, can be done, for the most part, without the need for a brick-and-mortar location. This could be more effiecient, and cheaper, for both you and your client.
Related Resources.
- Small Firm Startup: Do You Want or Need an Office? (FindLaw's Strategist)
- Meet Google Helpouts: Your New Virtual Law Office Platform? (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Tired of the Rat Race? Tips to Sell Your Practice (FindLaw's Strategist)