Sandra Day O'Connor Shared Law Office Space

Even graduating third in your class from Stanford Law does not guarantee a credible position at a law firm. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor found out just this upon graduating from Stanford. Rather than accepting the legal secretarial positions that various firms offered her, she opted to start a private law practice. In order to keep costs down, Justice O'Connor opened an office in Phoenix, Arizona, and shared law space with another solo practicing lawyer. In doing this, she was able to carry on a solo practice while cutting fixed real estate costs. Although made upon necessity in Justice O'Connor's case, the decision to share office space with other lawyers is made by a significant amount of legal solo practitioners. The reasoning behind this decision can be brought down to pure economic principle; it benefits all involved to reduce fixed costs in an office space, and law office subletting does just this. In today's uncertain economy, fixed costs are a large concern, and their reduction allows lawyers to dedicate more funds towards other aspects needed to improve and maintain their practice. In addition, the sharing of law space allows young independent lawyers fresh from law school to surround themselves with like-minded solo practitioners. These co-tenants represent a source of advice, support, and potential client referrals that are essential components for the success of one just entering the field of law. Today, these benefits are becoming increasingly more important, as the unstable economy and job market have made solo practice a more attractive, and in some instances, necessary option. Thus, a service allowing Atlanta solo practitioners to connect and share law space is something that is incredibly valuable both now and looking forward. Elaine M. Russell, a lawyer practicing corporate law in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, Georgia saw this need and created LawSpaceMatch.com. This free service allows Atlanta lawyers to quickly and easily create attorney profiles and post empty office space in all parts of Atlanta. Notes: See Also: Law Firms with Unused Offices, You Can't Run a Law Practice from a Coffee Shop , The Business of Law