Since 2020, the prevalence of remote work and the desire for more flexible work accommodation has skyrocketed with professionals around the country looking for new, innovative ways to be productive.
Within the legal industry, this shift in work approach has seen the increased use of shared office spaces and the amenities they provide – especially amongst small and solo law firm managers.
Drew Amoroso, founder of DueCourse, a technology startup focused on teaching lawyers how to use the power of a healthy mindset to be happier at work, caught up with Georg Hirsch, solo owner of the Law Offices of Georg F. Hirsch PLLC, who revealed four different ways that he utilizes a coworking provider to help power his practice.
Use of On-Demand Meeting Rooms
As someone who had traditionally ran his firm from his own household, Mr. Hirsch needed a solution when his clients wanted face-to-face time with him.
Rather than having to bear the expense of signing a lease for a traditional office space for just himself and when he didn’t need something long term, Mr. Hirsch utilized on-demand meeting space to host face-to-face meetings with his clients on an as-needed basis.
“From the outset, some people just have one fixed office or room, and they go there in the morning, leave in the evening, and they do this seven days a week,” said Mr. Hirsch. “I needed only a room to meet with clients who were local in case they wanted to see me face to face.”
Building Community
Coworking spaces also provide a unique opportunity to engage with other like-minded professionals and even with those who happen to hold similar occupations to oneself.
Oftentimes, these interactions can lead to beneficial business connections, referrals to other companies for needed support, and even in long-term friendships.
Mr. Hirsch told Drew a story of a fellow lawyer who he met while working from a coworking space who coincidentally picked up and held a package that was delivered after-hours for safekeeping. The two went on to connect over lunch, become good friends, and even work together on various cases over time.
“This is really how the community gets built,” said Mr. Hirsch. “I’ve had cases which have had issues that are beyond my competency but it’s directly up his [Mr. Hirsch’s friend] alley and in part, he even knows another attorney that can do exactly what I need. If any issues arise in cases that go beyond my expertise, I now have quick access to a network of other legal professionals.”
Drew agreed on the community and relationship-building front and added, “It’s one of the things that I know a lot of solo and small firm owners struggle with is the community piece,” he said.
“You can get boxed into your own little world and you’re spending a lot of time by yourself. Being an attorney is a very intellectually demanding practice so having people there for referral purposes and even for friendship purposes is a really added benefit.”
Firm Image Enhancement
As many solo and small firm owners work independently, they are frequently based out of their own households which in turn, can create different issues around conducting business professionally.
- Your home address now becomes your business address, and all business collateral is being sent and received to your personal address
- Your first point of contact to your business is yourself, meaning that phone calls can frequently interrupt a workday
- And of course, household distractions such as pets, children, chores, you name it, can present frequent setbacks to the focus and attention to detail that running a solo or small firm requires
Coworking providers offer a chance to leave these issues behind whether it’s with business phone service – which provides all-in-one support to a professional first point of contact, call answering, and call handling – or a virtual business address – which allows you to utilize the business address of a provider.
These customizable offerings allow you to instantly enhance your image and gain a competitive edge against other small firms.
“The location couldn’t be beaten,” said Mr. Hirsch. “Having an office address as my business address instead of using my personal address is very important,” he added.
Drew agreed and said, “The administrative assistance and a lot of the things take up a big chunk of a solo or small firm owners’ day, having a resource that you can rely on and having a face to your business even though you might be somewhere else is a really incredible benefit. Many small firm owners don’t always see that as an investment; they kind of want to take care of everything themselves.”
Mail Handling
While it goes hand in hand with firm image enhancement, the mail services that coworking providers can offer can be revolutionary for a solo or small firm owner.
Mr. Hirsch happens to have moved to Vietnam recently but still utilizes a coworking provider to manage his mail, to scan and send him relevant pieces of mail via email, and even to electronically sign and forward documents.
In fact, before making the move permanent, Mr. Hirsch did a trial run with said provider to make sure that his firm could run smoothly as if he was still stateside, while he was on the other side of the world.
“Two and a half years ago, I went to Vietnam for a longer period – it was seven weeks at the time. I really wanted to test the waters of what it was like to run my law practice from Vietnam,” explained Mr. Hirsch.
“My mail was opened and scanned, and I was able to instruct which mail was junk and which mail was important and then was able to have the important mail sent to me by email attachment.”
“I also had checks cut for me, letters sent out to me, my logo put on envelopes and sent out for me, and even had things sent to the IRS with certified mail – all while I was in Vietnam,” Mr. Hirsch said. “They [the coworking provider] are my extended arm,” he added.
Other Tips for Small Firms from Mr. Hirsch
Don’t feel the need to take on too much work and focus on taking on the right work for you and your firm. Mr. Hirsch said, “I make sure that I don’t take on too much work, the wrong work, things that are better resolved by big law firms, or things that are too complex that need too many different puzzle pieces. The art is to choose exactly who I want to work with.”
“Also, as a solo practitioner, you really don’t want to waste time on menial work. The hourly rate for admin services is less than your own hourly rate, Mr. Hirsch said.
And always find your niche as a solo or small firm owner. “Choose your clients well and find your niche where you cannot be easily replaced,” he added.
About Mr. Hirsch
“International tax attorney Georg F. Hirsch is a native of Germany and a U.S. resident and citizen. Perfectly bilingual and bicultural, Mr. Hirsch has worked with those who are citizens or residents of the U.S. – as well as non-citizens and nonresidents – to resolve complex U.S. tax issues for nearly a decade.”
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