Law firm office design: the coolest legal workspaces

Legal offices have always been highly professional work environments. Historically, law firm workspace was hierarchical and enclosed, designed to project authority, protect confidentiality and support paper-based workflows. Companies adopted cellular office formats, with private rooms and workspace for discrete, appointment-based consultations. Centralised legal libraries provided vital storage for hardcopy files. And dark wood finishes, leather upholstery and imposing corner desks conveyed gravitas and prestige.

Today, legal firms’ workspace continues to be shaped by the specialist nature of the profession, with its focus on intellectual capital and project-based – rather than product-based – delivery models. But the modern legal office is changing. Hybrid working, digitalisation and design innovations have revolutionised the sector workspace, leading to open environments that encourage teamwork and informal interactions. And while a certain level of cellularisation is still essential, rigid private space has given way to modular systems and flexible layouts.

Overall, the legal workspace has become more relaxed, prioritising employee wellbeing and open, inclusive ways of working. And with engaging design features signalling a departure from traditional law firm aesthetics, the future of the legal office looks bright.

Our top 5 law firm office designs

As we know, offices don’t have to be boring. Here, we take a look at some of the coolest and most exciting new offices in the UK legal sector.

1/ Shoosmiths

In 2022, Shoosmiths relocated its Birmingham office to a Grade A corporate space in the city’s most iconic new development – the BCO award-winning 103 Colmore Row. Reflecting the firm’s innovative and client-focused mindset, this destination office is a cutting-edge hybrid work environment where clients and colleagues can collaborate. Light, open and creative, the new space provides a hospitality-style experience that defies design conventions. Doing away with the traditional demarcations between office and breakout areas, employees can choose how and where they work. Meanwhile, unique design features, such as detailed joinery and opulent jewellery motifs, reflect Birmingham’s industry heritage.

Key Key project info

• Size: 33,000 sq ft
• Location: Birmingham
• Standout feature: 80-metre metal ‘ribbon’, created by internationally renowned sculptor David Begbie
• Office designer: Office Principles

WRKPLC’s verdict

We love the fluid, open-plan layout that facilitates collaborative working and interaction. The flow of the design also reflects Birmingham’s waterways, which is a really nice touch. And there’s a great blend of open and ‘snug’ private areas, supporting different work styles and needs. Sustainability and employee wellbeing are clearly high on Shoosmiths’ agenda, as evidenced by the multiple relaxation rooms, gardens and greenspace – overall, an inclusive, progressive and beautifully designed work environment.

2/  HFW

Following a four-year workplace transformation programme, in 2025 HFW relocated to its new home in 8 Bishopsgate, London – the UK’s tallest BREEAM ‘outstanding’ and EPC A-rated building. The new office meets HFW’s original search criteria – improved flexibility, abundant daylight and impressive views of London, plus excellent infrastructure, outdoor access and shared amenities. The design scheme replaces fixed departmental siloes with flexible ‘neighbourhoods’, facilitating greater collaboration and communication. A central staircase spans all three floors, enhancing connectivity. And a range of workspace formats – from shared spaces to quiet study areas – supports employee needs, including those with neurodiverse requirements.

Key project info

• Size: 59,000 sq ft
• Location: London
• Standout feature: Central staircase, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time
• Office designer: M Moser Associates

WRKPLC’s verdict

M Moser Associates’ design really reflects HFW’s core values, creating an agile professional environment that anticipates the future of legal work. We especially like the hospitality area and event suite, which hosts specialist spaces for different legal disciplines. The panoramic views will impress clients and visitors. And employees will benefit from the open interior layout, which enables clear sightlines and fluid movement, reinforcing unity and connectivity. A fantastic modern workplace design.

3/ Brabners

Brabners’ new Manchester office is an exceptional workplace for a leading UK law firm. Occupying two floors of a recently refurbished development, the office supports the organisation’s long-term growth ambitions, combining sophistication and innovation. It also reflects Brabner’s commitment to clients and staff through spaces that facilitate comfort and collaboration. Above all, the workspace communicates quality, with bespoke joinery, high-end finishes and attention to detail throughout. Statement ceiling designs in the reception and meeting rooms are particularly impressive – all the more so for having been delivered during challenging market conditions.

Key project info

• Size: 20,000 sq ft
• Location: Manchester
• Standout feature: Statement ceilings, combining high aesthetic impact and functionality
• Office designer: TSK Group

WRKPLC’s verdict

A stylish and inspiring workplace design. The ceilings are something else; not only aesthetically stunning, but also skilfully incorporating mechanical services, sprinklers and lighting – clearly a major feat of project management and implementation. The meticulous design features suggest a firm that’s wholly committed to the highest professional standards.

4/ Mills & Reeve

The Mills & Reeve office at One Centenary Way, Birmingham, is an inclusive, open and community-led workplace with sustainability at its core. Allowing for growth and flexibility, the office design caters for present need and future ambition. It combines the Mills & Reeve brand with major wow-factor features – for example, an instagrammable Client Lounge full of coloured lights and quirky design elements. Multifunctional spaces, quiet rooms and collaboration zones make this a diverse ‘destination office’. Its design also speaks directly to the surrounding city context, replicating Birmingham’s archways and other architectural features.

Key project info

• Size: 32,000 sq ft
• Location: Birmingham
• Standout feature: The Business Lounge, providing diverse vistas through office archways
• Office designer: Claremont

WRKPLC’s verdict

This colourful office space combines professionalism and fun, communicating energy and ambition. Its sustainability creds are also deeply impressive, with the project team delivering on their commitment to reuse existing equipment and furniture. All flooring is at least 50% recycled content and 100% recyclable, diverting as much material from landfill as possible. And everything is locally sourced. Just shows that great design and green design can go hand-in-hand!

5/ Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Located in the iconic 100 Bishopsgate building, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s new office delivers on two core objectives: it provides a fitting home for a prestigious and powerful global law firm, while creating a sociable, welcoming and multifaceted work environment. Acknowledging the needs of the legal profession, the space combines cellular offices with flexible meeting suites and social spaces, plus moveable walls and seating to support a range of workplace functions. The internal aesthetic reflects the clean lines and shapes of the building’s glass façade, while wooden details and artwork provide warmth and depth.

Key project info

• Size: 14,500 sq ft
• Location: London
• Standout feature: Central meeting suite, which expands into a social space and events area
• Office designer: Maris Interiors

WRKPLC’s verdict

This stunning workplace design really makes the most of the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows, with offices located around the perimeter to maximise natural light and views of London. We also like that Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman consulted their employees on the new office design, ensuring the workspace caters for everyone’s needs and preferences.

Key trends and considerations when designing offices in the law sector

So, what have we learned from these innovative and cool legal sector offices?

In such a specialist sector, workplace location is naturally of paramount importance. Being at the heart of a reputable legal district, with access to local talent, transport links and amenities, provides reassurance and ease of access for clients. It also boosts a firm’s prospects.

Client experience is paramount, with companies going the extra mile to accommodate their fee-paying visitors. More and more, we’re seeing dedicated client welcome areas, work lounges and catering facilities, alongside more conventional consultation spaces for key services – for example, ‘broker booths’ or specialist rooms for litigation and mediation. Ensuring clients can receive the support they need, in privacy and in comfort, is a core design focus.

While cellular formats and confidentiality remain vital, enclosed spaces are increasingly offset by open areas that promote collaboration and communication. Breaking down siloes is key, as firms look to encourage fluid interaction and informal exchanges of ideas. 

Vibrant design appears to be popular, too, with firms keen to incorporate energy, light and colour into their office design schemes. These interventions are a deliberate break with the past, putting distance between modern law culture and traditional legal chambers.

Finally, it’s clear law firms are placing sustainability at the heart of their workplace agenda. Low-carbon strategies, efficiency measures, reused furniture and locally sourced materials are key design requirements – as companies balance commercial goals with the interests of people and planet.

If you’re looking to revamp your legal workspace, get in touch with WRKPLC for expert guidance and advice. You can also download our free Office Design Companies Guide.