Many lawyers wonder about opening second offices, sometimes known as “branch offices” or “satellite offices.”

There are many factors to weigh before opening the doors to your second location, including whether business can justify the cost, and whether or not a second office would compromise the quality of the representation given to your current client base. Here are some of the most common reasons attorneys open secondary offices:

Attorneys consider opening a second office in another region because they’ve penetrated their home region’s market for services to the greatest extent possible.

2. New clients Are From the New Region

There’s nothing that says that clients necessarily will only be from your area. Clients frequently call from outside of your home location and even from another state. If you practice an area of law that requires frequent meetings with clients, then setting up a second office in another location will make sense.

3. Prestige

Whether justified or not, there is a notion that law firms that have multiple locations are more prestigious than firms that don’t. If you want your practice to be associated with quality, expand your firm. Also, as noted by Mark Herrman at Above The Law, law firm leaders have egos.

4. It’s Closer to Home

If you’re lucky enough to work close to home, consider that a blessing. Many attorneys are not so fortunate. If you’re tired of commuting, maybe it’s time to open a second location closer to your homestead? That will cut down on your personal expenses by saving you time and commuting costs.

5. You Practice Federal, so the Country Is Your oyster

On the flip-side, it may be the case that you or your practice overwhelmingly handles issues involving topics like IP, bankruptcy, or immigration. In this case, expansion is easy to justify.

Related References:

  • Checklist for Opening Your First Law Offce (NH Bar Association)
  • Unique Challenges of Solo Law Firm Practice (FindLaw Practice Guide)
  • How to Start a Law Firm (FindLaw Firm Management)

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