Future-proof your law firm with flexible, professional, and sustainable solutions.
Why Law Firms Struggle to Balance Stability, Agility, and Office Costs
If you’re leading a law firm today, you’re no stranger to how complex and unpredictable managing your office space has become. Shifting caseloads, evolving hybrid work policies, fluctuating headcounts, and rising real estate costs can make it feel like you’re constantly trying to hit a moving target.
One quarter, you’re expanding your team to meet client demand. The next, you’re faced with empty offices or paying for space you no longer need. Traditional long-term leases and furniture ownership might have felt like a safe investment in the past—but in reality, they may now introduce more risk than reward.
So how do law firms stay agile while still projecting the polished, stable image clients expect?
Why Traditional Office Leases and Furniture Purchases No Longer Work for Law Firms
The traditional approach to managing law firm office space—signing long-term leases and investing heavily in owned furniture—once provided a sense of stability. But in today’s legal environment, those fixed, high-cost commitments often introduce more risk than benefit.
Here’s why:
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Rigid, Long-Term Leases Don’t Reflect the Realities of Legal Work
Economic uncertainty, shifting client needs, and unpredictable caseloads can cause significant changes in staffing and space requirements. Whether you’re onboarding a large team for a complex case, merging with another firm, or adjusting to hybrid work models, traditional leases lock you into a fixed office footprint—often years in advance—without the flexibility to scale up or down efficiently.
The result?
Firms frequently find themselves paying for space they no longer need, or scrambling to source additional space when demand surges. Either way, these rigid contracts limit your ability to adapt quickly and cost-effectively.
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Furniture Purchases Tie Up Capital and Limit Agility
Furnishing an office space with high-quality, professional pieces typically requires a substantial upfront investment. But once purchased, furniture becomes a long-term, depreciating asset—offering little flexibility if your firm’s needs evolve.
Consider:
- Growth surges force you to purchase additional furniture, increasing costs and complicating logistics.
- Downsizing leaves you with unused, surplus furniture—requiring storage, liquidation, or disposal solutions.
- Hybrid work models result in underutilized office space and furniture, yet the capital investment remains fixed.
Ownership ties up capital that could otherwise be directed toward strategic priorities like hiring, technology, or client services.
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Maintaining a Professional Image Comes at a High Cost
Your firm’s workspace is more than just functional—it’s a reflection of your professionalism, stability, and brand. Clients expect a polished, sophisticated office environment. But keeping up that image requires periodic upgrades, layout adjustments, and the ability to reconfigure spaces to support collaboration, privacy, or client meetings.
When furniture is permanently purchased, these updates often become cost-prohibitive, time-consuming, and disruptive.
What Is Furniture-as-a-Service (FaaS) and Why Law Firms Need It
Furniture-as-a-Service (FaaS) offers law firms a modern, more adaptable alternative to traditional furniture ownership. Rather than making significant upfront investments in furniture assets that may quickly become outdated or underutilized, FaaS allows firms to rent high-quality furnishings on flexible terms—scaling their workspace as needed without long-term capital commitment.
At its core, FaaS is about access over ownership. Law firms can evolve their office environments without being burdened by large purchases, storage concerns, or the hassle of reselling or disposing of outdated assets.
But not all FaaS solutions are created equal. Many basic rental providers offer temporary, one-size-fits-all services that may not meet the high standards or nuanced operational needs of professional law firms.
Why the CORT Furniture-as-a-Service™ (FaaS) Model Is Different—And Designed for Law Firms
CORT’s approach to Furniture-as-a-Service stands apart by offering:
- Sophisticated, professional-grade furnishings curated for high-end environments
- Rapid scalability and reconfiguration options, backed by a national inventory and logistics network
- Ongoing support services, including space planning, maintenance, warehousing, and furniture removal—so law firms avoid logistical headaches
- Flexible lease terms that allow firms to treat furniture expenses as operational costs rather than capital investments
- Commitment to sustainability, participating in a circular economy model that reduces waste and supports corporate responsibility initiatives
In short, CORT’s FaaS solution isn’t just about filling empty offices—it’s about providing a strategic, seamless, and reliable partnership to help law firms stay agile without sacrificing quality or image.
How Law Firms Can Quickly Set Up Trial War Rooms and Temporary Offices
Over the years, we’ve seen many law firms face similar challenges during times of rapid change. For instance, when preparing for high-stakes litigation or long, grueling trials, it’s common for firms to require immediate workspace adjustments—whether it’s setting up a trial preparation room near a courthouse, accommodating a temporary influx of attorneys, or responding to shifting trial schedules.
In these types of situations, firms consistently benefit from CORT’s ability to deliver a fully furnished, professional, and functional workspace within days, and just as importantly, remove it just as easily when the need passes. It’s a seamless solution that keeps teams focused, avoids unnecessary capital outlays, and upholds the polished image their clients expect.
Scott Teich, one of our workplace experts and recent guest on CORT Workplace Talks, speaks to this exact scenario in a recent conversation. Listen to his insight on how CORT supports legal teams with quick-turnaround war room setups:
How CORT Furniture-as-a-Service Supports Sustainable, Cost-Effective Law Offices
Choosing flexible furniture solutions isn’t just good for your firm’s financial health—it’s an important step toward sustainable business practices.
CORT’s circular business model is designed to minimize waste, extend product life, and reduce environmental impact. Our furniture is rented, returned, refurbished, and reused—keeping high-quality pieces out of landfills and reducing the demand for new raw materials.
Once an item reaches the end of its rental life, it’s sold through CORT Furniture Outlet locations, ensuring it continues to serve a purpose rather than contributing to unnecessary waste. This approach supports your firm’s sustainability goals while offering a smarter, more responsible way to manage office space.
Future-Proofing Your Law Firm’s Office Space with Flexible, Scalable Solutions
Your firm’s needs will continue to evolve—whether that’s expanding into new practice areas, adjusting hybrid work policies, or onboarding new teams for major cases. Traditional solutions often tie up capital and limit your ability to pivot quickly.
CORT’s Furniture-as-a-Service model gives law firms:
- The flexibility to scale and adapt without unnecessary financial risk
- A sophisticated, professional workspace that maintains your firm’s brand
- A sustainable, cost-effective solution designed for long-term growth and agility
Get Started: How to Make Your Law Office Flexible and Scalable Today
We’ve worked with law firms of all sizes to help them navigate workspace shifts—whether planned or unexpected. The CORT Furniture-as-a-Service model gives you the flexibility, efficiency, and professional image you need to stay competitive in today’s legal landscape.
Contact CORT today to explore how flexible office solutions can support your firm’s growth.