

Getting the point of view of someone from outside the firm can be a great tool to avoid firm tunnel vision. Even better, if you have a trusted and independent consultant or confidante outside of the firm, ask him or her to poke holes in your plan. Get all partners on deck for this evaluation. Is our personnel in flux, making a new office unnecessary?.Is a merger or other structural change in the offing, making a second office premature?.Is this the right time to take the plunge?.Do you really need a second office? Even if you determine that your firm needs another office, there are a few questions you should ask to ensure that opening a new location is really the right decision: Before forging ahead, draft a pros-and-cons list-on paper, a whiteboard, a Word document, or whatever medium you prefer. Opening an additional office location is a huge commitment of your firm’s money, time, and focus. Don’t take the leap without doing the legwork, and don’t rely on assumptions or word-of-mouth in making the major decision to open a second office. If your second office is intended to increase access to talent, research the talent market in that area.

This same line of thinking applies to talent. Will a second office allow for meaningful competition? How? What does the market environment look like in your target second location? Do the research before even thinking about digging into a move.

What’s not to love? More space, more people, and a bigger footprint for your firm. One time that more is better in your law practice is the addition of another location. More is better, right? Sometimes, but not always.
