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Why Attorneys Choose to Stay in Coworking Spaces

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coworking space for attorneys

Professional office space in Chicago that offers the unique environment attorneys need to run a successful firm can be hard to come by – especially at an affordable rate. What they often don’t teach in law school is how to run a business. This may be why many law firms take on more space than they need with the anticipation of growing into the space. Paying for this extra space is the same as burning your money. Before incurring expenses an attorney should build a proforma to estimate income to expenses and the key metric to use should be cost per billable hour. If an attorney anticipates they will bill 1500 hours next year and they are collecting $250/hour, they may want to keep their total costs at $50/hour or $6,250/month. These costs should include their office space, reception service, software programs, computers (amortized over their useful life), support staff, marketing expenses, and continuing education costs. This same metric should be used when adding attorneys to your staff to set expectations and manage expenses. Coworking or shared offices lends itself to controlling expenses based on estimated billable hours.

Receptionist Services at No Extra Cost

When it comes to coworking space for attorneys that truly provides a quality service for less cost, the first place you look is the reception. We have found that including front desk reception for our clients at no additional charge is a no-brainer. A successful attorney, billing 1500 hours a year, does not have time to waste answering phones and making sure clients are greeted properly. But these things are very important to building a loyal clientele. Staffing the receptionist position is a key part of the value offered at a shared office environment. It should not be a revolving door for temps and part-time employees who care little for their work.

Community

The opportunity to work among your peers, sharing referrals, consulting on changes in the law and building comradery among attorneys may be the most important aspect of working in a shared office environment for attorneys. Whether your case load has you in court all day or you are building your book of business, the best place to find fulfillment in your work is among other attorneys. Relationships blossom around the water cooler and popping into a neighbor’s office down the hall. When you require additional resources your shared office provider should offer an online community of attorneys with something in common as a resource for you to take advantage of.

Top-Notch Staff

Time and time again, our attorney clients are singing the praises of Amata Law Office Suites’ expert staff. Our professional reception, our on-hand paralegals, legal assistants, and our office managers go above and beyond to set the tone for our office services at Amata Law Office Suites. We take great pride in carefully selecting our team members, creating an enjoyable working environment, and compensating them well to reduce turnover and disruption for our members. Our efforts to create a superb team at each of our law office suites shows by the high remarks we consistently receive from our clients and visiting patrons at our locations.

Atmosphere Unlike Any Other

Amata Law Office Suites set out to create coworking space in Chicago that rivals that of a large law firm, offering all the perks of having the collaborative legal environment at a fraction of the cost. Our office suites are designed for the quiet, focused atmosphere that is required for any practicing attorney while also including shared spaces perfect for networking and taking advantage of co-counsel opportunities or the chance to pick another lawyer’s brain rather than spending countless hours researching to find what you need.

In today’s competitive environment it is important to not only get business in the door, but to get the right business. Having the luxury to choose the deals you accept and passing on those that either don’t fit into what you want to do or don’t pay enough is an important aspect to enjoying the practice of law. At Amata Law Office Suites, we understand this and have created a culture and community to help attorneys reach their goals.

Amata Law Office Suites is more than office space, it’s a community of attorneys with a thriving culture and the services required make the practice of law profitable and enjoyable.

With multiple locations, you can easily find the professional office space in Chicago that you need.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

Maintaining Brand Integrity in a Shared Office Space

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virtual office

It’s important when running a business via a virtual office to make sure that potential clients see you as professional and legitimate. Utilizing a shared office space gives your brand the professional integrity it deserves without losing the financial benefits of being virtual, and when looking for workspace in Chicago, those two factors are key.

Take Your Virtual Office to the Next Level

Often times, the limitations of a virtual office come into play when needing to meet with clients, and they can even come into effect when there are unforeseen distractions at home (kids out of school for the day, spouse home sick, unexpected company arrives in town). By taking advantage of a shared office space, you provide your clients with the peace of mind knowing you’re not a fly-by-night operation. When they see you, you’re not at home or in your local coffee shop. You’re in a prestigious building in downtown Chicago, conducting business in a professional manner – just the same as anyone that rents out a private office – they just don’t know you’re not shelling out for the cost of one.

Finding the Perfect Chicago Office Space

It’s important when choosing a shared office space to find one that is not only convenient but will be impressive to your clients. We have six different locations that are all conveniently located to provide the perfect downtown Chicago office space, and each location has been designed to astound.

Amata Shared Office Space Benefits

It’s easy to maintain your brand’s integrity when you’re working with us because we understand the need for the little details – like the use of a prestigious business address and mail handling and forwarding services. From personalized call answering services to 24/7 access to open workspaces and use of our lounge and cafe work areas at any one of our six locations, you’re getting much more with Amata’s shared office spaces.

Coworking Space for Attorneys

We’ve supported attorneys for more than 20 years, so we know a thing or two about what you need and what your clients expect. Coworking space for attorneys is important in being able to collaborate with other like minds in your industry, but how do you set yourself from others in the building when you’re using shared office space? Fortunately for you, Amata already thought of that. You’ll find there is no direct branding at any of our locations. So even though you’re meeting your clients in a shared workspace, they aren’t seeing any other brand but you.

Take your brand and virtual office to the next level. View a comprehensive list of all the services and benefits an Amata shared office space provides. If you want the opportunity to have a fully brand-customized office, check out our private offices at any one of our six Chicago locations.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

Telecommute and Open Up Your Options As a Working Attorney

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Telecommute and Open Up Your Options As a Working Attorney

Updated: 2/27/18

“I am breaking away from my big law firm to practice law my own way. But a permanent office is not in my budget.”

“As a solo practicing attorney, I only want to commute to the city when necessary.”

“My family is important and I need to spend more time at home without giving up my practice or taking time off.”

Do any of these sound familiar to you?

Amata Law Offices can provide the solutions you need.

Yes, this is blatant self-promotion for Amata Law Office Suites, but only because we have over two decades of experience working for our attorney clients who in turn have helped us shape our company to better support them.

Providing Chicago Attorneys with Options

Self-promotion aside, I want to start this article by pointing out that the most important aspect of our centers is actually a concept built directly into the structure of all shared office space, ours and our competitor’s alike, and that’s the ability to give attorneys options.

So many options, in fact, that we need to narrow down the conversation just to explain how flexible a shared office space truly is.

Flexibility of Telecommuting

Let’s start where most small practices do and talk, not about renting space, but about telecommuting.

When you break telecommuting down, you have two immediate pros: The days you don’t commute to the office will save you time and money, and when you do commute you have options.

Pros of Telecommuting for Attorneys

Like all choices you make for your business, telecommuting has its pros and cons, but the biggest pro is the amount of choices it provides to burgeoning and established practices alike.

Access to Multiple Locations

Through all of our programs, for instance, our clients have access to every Amata center to work, receptionist services, and to meet with clients and partners, no matter which center they decide is their firm’s mailing address.

Convenience When You Commute

If you are coming into the city solely for a deposition, book a conference room at our 150 South Wacker office, a mere twenty feet from Union Station.

Spending the morning at court but need a small room to meet with a client in the afternoon? We have two locations a block from the Daley Center.

And when the kids have a day off school all of Amata’s offices can provide you a quiet cafe or solitary day office to work in.

Eliminating the Cons of Telecommuting for Attorneys

On the con side, bouncing ideas off fellow attorneys is part of the fun of a law firm practice, and if you are leaving a bigger firm to start your own you may find you miss that daily interaction.

A Large Group of Attorneys To Interact With

For the tenants at our 180 North LaSalle office one of the highlights is ending the day catching up with attorneys over a glass of wine in the Cognac room; brilliant attorney and masterful storyteller, Paul Goodman, makes me laugh every time we grab a drink. Not all clients are able to join in such impromptu weekly rituals and for telecommuting clients this is especially so.

Exclusive Attorney Networking Events

To combat this, we work to create opportunities for all our lawyers to have the community experience by organizing dozens of events throughout the year, from casual attorney socials after work to grander scale river cruises, and we have even gone so far as to build an online community that allows attorneys to network no matter where they choose to be. Whether they prefer working at home in the Chicago suburbs, or even at home in a completely different state.

Telecommuting Options for Locals and Non-Locals Alike

Yes, you read that correctly. Telecommuting is not just an option for new or small law firms. When you have put your years in and finally decide to pursue that isolated cabin in the woods, telecommuting allows you to continue doing the work you love.

A few years ago, one of my best friends moved just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, yet he still maintains his successful law practice in Chicago, which boasts three attorneys and two support staff. He choose to commute 2-3 days each week and spend the rest of the days working at home in Tennessee.

He retained the physical space he needed for its Chicago employees, as well as the shared office space’s built-in manager who deals with all the nitty gritty: the phone system, the copier, office supplies and shredder and any issues that may come up with them all.

But now when the receptionist processes his calls, his clients are transferred to his cellphone even while his coworkers still maintain their physical phones, and we forward and scan his mail wherever he needs, at his request.

Make Telecommuting Work For You

Telecommuting is just one, small example of how Amata Law Office Suites can work for you and your firm. Speaking from many years of experience as a shared office space provider, I can offer a few tips:

As you begin your search you will find that people and writers like to argue about the layout of shared office space — open vs. closed.

As Jacob Morgan points out in his article Five Things You Need To Know About Telecommuting, the debates are absolutely pointless. I will reiterate the fact I opened this article up with: all shared office spaces are built to provide options, it’s implicit in its design.

What you really need to pay attention to when searching for your perfect space are the details.

Does the office atmosphere boost your company image when clients come to visit?

What if your firm were to grow so big taking traditional space was more affordable; would you be able to take your established phone number with you when you leave?

These are questions you must ask before signing any contract.

But if you are just starting out, and haven’t even thought about the details of a contract yet, I have one simple tip: pay attention to who the shared office space chooses as their partners.

If they aren’t partnering with business that are meant to help you and your firm grow, then maybe you should keep looking.

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Ron Bockstahler is the CEO of Amata Holdings, LLC and managing broker for Amata Realty Group. His companies have served the legal community for over 30 years and Ron regularly consults with attorneys on business development and space needs. You can contact Ron at [email protected] or call him at (312) 924-0204.

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When Is It Time to Lease Office Space

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What is shared office space?

Coworking Space ChicagoShared office space allows you the flexibility to create the perfect office space in downtown Chicago, while also staying within budget. We have six different shared office locations available and fully furnished. With our shared office space package, you will have access to conference rooms, monthly networking events, administrative assistance and more. Visit our Shared Office page to learn more about our services and to find YOUR Chicago office.

What is a virtual office?

Amata’s Virtual Office solutions allow you to run your business seamlessly from anywhere and can accommodate to any stage of your business. Visit our Virtual Office Page, to learn more.

Get to know us better. Contact us today!

Contact us and we’ll work with you to find the best solutions for your business needs.

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Choosing a New Business Space

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Have You Considered All Your Needs?

As if the role of being a business owner wasn’t daunting enough, choosing an office space may be one of the hardest parts of the job. While the monthly cost is probably your biggest concern, don’t neglect to cover all your bases while looking.

There are other needs you should consider before signing on the dotted line, including how your decision will affect other stakeholders, including employees, suppliers and customers or clients.

Besides cost, here are some other needs you don’t want to overlook:

  • What image do you want to portray? Is your business casual or formal? The space you choose should reflect the feeling you want people to get when they walk in.
  • In what part of town do you want to be? Do you want an urban or suburban office space? Is it important for you to be close to public transportation, have easy access to highways or be close to the airport? Is the area safe? This is important to consider, especially if you work non-traditional hours or have employees.
  • How far is it from your customers or clients? If you have meetings with your clients on a regular basis, you’ll want to make it as easy as possible for both parties (yourself and your clients) to get together.
  • What are the local zoning regulations? Learning what the zoning regulations are in advance could save you a lot of trouble down the line. Pay attention to who your neighbors would be. Are there direct competitors near the office? Are there any inappropriate connections with neighboring businesses (for example, are you opening a day care next to a lingerie store)?
  • How much are taxes? Find out the income and sales tax rates for your state, as well as the cost of the property taxes.
  • Is there a quality local talent pool? If you’ll be hiring in the future, you’ll want to make sure you’ll be in a location that would attract quality employees with the skills you need.
  • What’s the parking situation? You’ll want convenient parking for yourself and all of your stakeholders. Consider whether it would be free or paid parking and how that would affect employees’ budgets.
  • Is the space wired for modern conveniences (wireless internet, air conditioning, phone)? It’s becoming more popular for business owners to choose historical buildings for their unique look, but be careful to ask whether it’s wired for all of your communication and modern-convenience needs. If not, factor that into your decision.

Have you considered a shared office space?

Leasing an Amata shared office space is a great option for those people who run small businesses, don’t need traditional office spaces full-time or maybe just want to spring free of their home offices. When leasing a shared office space, you’re paying to use a shared space with other professionals.

There are several benefits to utilizing Amata’s shared office spaces, including:

  • Access to multiple downtown office locations and their amenities, including conference rooms, copiers, workspaces and mailing supplies
  • Convenient access to public transportation and highways
  • Networking potential with other businesses sharing the space
  • All-inclusive leasing fees, so you don’t have to budget around fluctuating utility costs
  • A business mailing address separate from your home address
  • A receptionist to receive packages when you’re not in the office
  • No responsibility for property taxes!

Contact Amata Realty Group!

If you’re searching for a new space or are interested in one of our shared office space packages, contact Amata Realty Group. We work with tenants to help them find spaces with services that meet their needs. Reach out to us today!

Sources:

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Coworking As An Incubator

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During my first week working at Amata, we had a saleswoman come up to our floor. The most I could offer was to take her card and give it to a manager, but before she left she asked exactly what kind of business we did here and I explained Amata the best I could. Her response included a word I have only heard in such context on HBO’s Silicon Valley.

Oh! This is an Incubator.

To be clear, Amata is not an incubator. A business incubator is a completely separate mechanism from a shared office space. Yet that word being used in reference to the floor I just signed up to spend half of my waking hours. That word made me excited.

No One Is an Island in CoWorking

Human beings thrive in co-working spaces, not just because we are social creatures in need of community, but because ideas thrive in co-working spaces. Whether or not we all admit it, we depend on one another for inspiration, to be pulled from creative blackholes, and to approach concepts we feel we know so strongly and surely, from every angle, that we are drowning in information. A single person can hear our ideas and say “have you thought of it like this…” and a new pathway of discovery is born. Crick needed Watson to soundboard his ideas long before DNA was discovered. And both of them needed the information only x-ray diffraction expert Rosalind Franklin could provide to be inspired to search for a double helix form at all. Co-working means innovation.

Various lighthearted conversations often heard in the hallways vary from the value of degrees to where to buy the best tea in Chicago, while more intense topics are preceded by a door slam and followed by a coffee or a coffee break. Here, I have access to family lawyers, risk management companies, corporate lawyers, IT companies, psychologists, marketing support —the list goes on. And not one person has turned down the chance for conversation as I greedily ask exactly what they are doing in the conference room today that has so many people drifting in and out. While distributing mail I trim the wicks on members’ candles when I see they are too long (a quarter inch is ideal for the most fragrant burn) and I know how to take care of virtually any plant they may get as a gift from a client.

We may not work for the same companies, but we are all part of the community which makes up our floor. Lawyers will contact one another to arrange referrals, group meetings occur where virtual businesses get together to discuss what they have learned in the past quarter and what challenges they have overcome. The café offers itself as a socializing and work environment when open space helps open the mind, and the cognac room is available for celebrations and comfort in learning experiences. We all seem to take advantage of the connections that can be made in our environment, both professionally and personally. People thrive at Amata because ideas thrive in shared spaces and mutual respectful. After all, we are mostly social creatures.

Learn more about Kristen Mayfield, Director of First Impressions of Amata Office Solutions.

KIRSTEN MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH AMATA OFFICE SOLUTIONS

Kirsten Mayfield, Director of First Impressions with Amata Office Solutions

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What is your ideal workspace?

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It is important that you chose the ideal workspace carefully. Your space should help increase productivity and creativity. Finding the right workspace goes beyond your desk. What makes a space ideal may vary from person to person, but we’re sharing a few key elements below that everyone should consider when searching for their ideal workspace.

Small Business

I’m Busy

Your office space should have high-speed Internet, phone answering, mail sorting and delivery, so you can focus on your day-to-day business without interruption or the distractions of running an office.

First Impressions

In order to provide unforgettable service for your customers and clients, a front desk receptionist is a must. From greeting your clients to accommodating them in a pleasant lobby environment, your receptionist should make their stay memorable. Phones answered by a real person are almost a thing of the past, which is why your clients will remember your receptionist.

Real People

Focusing on your work is paramount, but human interaction helps you remember how your messages are received. Find a space that houses variety of colleagues with whom you can talk shop and even refer business. Business referred by your neighbors is, after all, the most powerful word-of-mouth.

Café and Lounge Space

You spent more of your waking hours at work, than at home. Choose a workspace where you can change up your surroundings because even hearing ambient noise can help improve productivity. Host informal client or colleague meetings in the comfort of your floor’s cafe or lounge without leaving your suite for a noisy coffee shop. Your ideal workspace should be an environment that provides solutions to improve productivity and avoid distraction, while still providing alternative space when you need to shift your thinking. Consider these tips when you’re searching for the ideal workspace, and make the most of the time your time.

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8 Characteristics of the Right Office Space in Chicago

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Why Amata Is The Premiere Chicago Office Provider

Finding the right office space can be a tasking feat. Understanding the components of a great office space can get you on your way to the right space for your business.

Onsite management and ownership – Make sure you have a landlord who understands your business and is empowered to help! At Amata we strive to meet your needs and are eager to learn more about your business!

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