1. In an era of rigorous economizing, law firms have invested a great
deal of time and money into something that, on the surface, may
seem superfluous – enhanced lunchrooms. These lunchrooms are
far from the eating areas of your youth. Instead, they provide an
innovative and convenient location for employees to collaborate,
socialize, conduct business and eat. While the ever-increasing use of
technology has significantly reduced the amount of interaction in the
workplace, the lunchroom provides an avenue to generate increased
collaboration and improve productivity for the firm.
Technology is a vital tool for attorneys, enabling them to work
more independently. While there are many benefits to technology,
on the downside there is simply less interaction and collaboration
among colleagues. In extreme cases, this can lead to lawyers
feeling disconnected and being receptive to moving to other firms.
As the economy regains momentum, it is likely that lateral attorney
movement will increase. Utilizing lunchrooms as a means to unify
the firm by creating a space that facilitates interaction and promotes
emotional connections is a potential solution to this issue, helping to
counteract the isolating effects of technology.
Perspectives on
law firms
Not your high school cafeteria
Innovative lunchrooms become the gathering places for Law Firms
March 2012
Prior to the transformation of the lunchroom, the library was considered
the key hub of the law firm – a place where partners and associates
camped out as they culled through legal texts. As technology evolved,
the demand for a library diminished as lawyers could obtain the same
information while sitting at their desks. Similarly, the central copier
station on each floor – another place lawyers would have chance
meetings – has now been replaced with more dispersed, multi-function
machines.
There are, however, still two areas that provide interaction – the
coffee stations and conference rooms. Experience has shown that
lawyers tend to go directly to their meetings or get their beverages
and then quickly return to their desks; they rarely have time to pause
long enough for a meaningful conversation with another lawyer.
Unfortunately, enhanced coffee stations with seating have not proven
to be successful in encouraging lawyers to slow down for impromptu
conversation. Lunchrooms and cafeterias, however, have become
places in law firms that consistently promote chance meetings and
unplanned conversations. Another change that supports the importance
of a lunchroom/cafeteria is that formal client lunches are less frequent,
and instead, lawyers are eating quickly in the building.

2. As firms attempt to address the possibility of enhancing or creating a
lunchroom/cafeteria to attract lawyers and promote connectivity, they
have several common concerns:
Why do law firms need enhanced and expanded lunchrooms?
Around the globe, large firms are starting to incorporate full-service
cafeterias in their office spaces. The level of food service can be scaled
depending on the size and needs of the firm – from hot entrees down
to a simple sandwich, soup and salad bar. Firms with approximately
125 lawyers are usually able to support the supplemental costs of
adding a food preparation area to the lunchroom.
Firms providing newly renovated lunch rooms have consolidated all
eating areas into one location. In rare cases this also includes the
elimination of partner/attorney dining rooms in favor of a central eating
area for the entire firm.
Why does a firm want to be in the food service business?
Most firms that are considering the addition of a lunchroom are initially
reluctant because they are concerned about the large amount of food
that would need to be managed, as well as the cost of subsidizing
meals. On closer review, however, they realize that on a daily basis,
there is already a significant amount of food being distributed in
conference rooms and centers for various meetings.
A cafeteria actually allows for all of these meeting meals to be
prepared in-house, helping to reduce costs associated with hiring an
outside catering service. Also, by having a central source responsible
for food preparation, the administrative coordination of meals from
multiple locations is eliminated.
Many firms with cafeterias feel the quality of the food is elevated
while, at the same time, the costs are stabilized or reduced. Moreover,
the range of food can be broadened based on the capabilities of the
cafeteria. Hot entrees, soup and other menu items that are challenging
for outside caterers to prepare can easily be prepared on-site.
Caterers, as opposed to food service companies, are operating many
of the newer cafeterias. These caterers provide on-site chefs to monitor
food preference, help deliver a healthy diet plan and accommodate
special requests. Additionally, for those who are working late, these
kitchens can prepare dinners “to-go” for a ready-to-eat meal at home,
in addition to or in lieu of serving dinner.Controlling a food service
preparation area can reduce administrative duties and costs while
simultaneously increasing menu selection and food quality.
How much will a cafeteria cost?
Most cafeterias are operated by outside venders who provide oversight
for things such as staffing, purchasing and health code issues, which
significantly reduces a firm’s administrative costs. In fact, some firms
have found their costs for catering have decreased, and by applying
that savings to the subsidy, they can help reduce the net cost.
Also, if the employees eat in the firm’s cafeteria, they save time that
would have been spent traveling to an off-site restaurant. Furthermore,
dining in with fellow attorneys provides a cross-selling opportunity
that could ultimately benefit the firm’s revenues. Finally, if the firm’s
retention of attorneys and staff increases because they feel more
connected with their peers, there are additional savings on the costs of
recruitment and training.
Will the staff and lawyers eat together?
A key concern for firms considering a cafeteria or enhanced lunchroom
is whether the staff and attorneys will eat together. The staff may
believe lawyers are discussing confidential matters, while the lawyers
may feel they will inhibit the staff’s discussions. The reality is that both
groups relax and enjoy a break from their work. If the lawyers need to
talk confidentially, they will do so somewhere else. Likewise, the staff
will go elsewhere if they want to discuss something that they don’t want
the attorneys to hear.
While a few firms had attorney dining rooms for more formal dining to
promote interaction among their attorneys, most firms have merged the
two rooms to create a larger eating area simply because the need for
a separate area for lawyers is unnecessary. A good middle ground is
to have private dining rooms adjacent to the cafeteria so attorneys can
reserve a room if they need to have a private lunch meeting.
3
4
1
2
Lawyers are going out less to formal
lunches with clients and,
instead, eating quickly in the building.

3. The new lunchroom does not look like or operate like the ones from
a decade ago. The location, décor, lawyer utilization and functionality
have all changed.
Natural light provides a comfortable environment for staff and young
attorneys who may work in spaces without windows. It’s an attractive
amenity and the views don’t need to be spectacular as the natural light
is enough. In addition, outside spaces and terraces provide a great
extension to the eating area.
In order to use the cafeteria space for dual purposes, the tables and
chairs need to be easily reconfigurable. By making the décor different
from other parts of the firm, people feel as though they are getting
5
away when they enter the lunchroom. Many lunchrooms are designed
to look like coffee shops, featuring different ceiling planes or even open
ceilings, interesting colors, multiple or different flooring materials, and
diverse lighting.
The design and finishes can be casual and comfortable, which can even
include fireplaces to create an inviting ambiance.
Several firms provide separate areas created by the shape of the space
or by utilizing movable panels or doors. These separate areas can set
apart a television area or a group meeting space – the key is to make the
space flow so that it feels comfortable.
It is important for seating to be diverse and include:
1. Club chairs
2. High tables with stools
3. Banquets
4. Tables that can be gathered together
5. Individual counter seating
Location and decor – To be a success, the lunchroom/cafeteria
needs to have several key ingredients:
1. Windows for natural light
2. Consolidated dining areas
3. Differentiation in decor
4. Variety of furniture
5. Television for access to news and major media events
6. Ample space to avoid overcrowding
What are the benefits for using a significant amount of space for an area that is used only two hours a day?

4. Lawyer utilization
With the previously identified décor, attorneys are able to utilize the space
throughout the day – not just during lunchtime. Assuming the room is
equipped with wireless internet access, they come for quiet time, informal
group discussion or focused document drafting.
One law firm’s associates used to use a coffee shop across the street
from their firm in order to get away from their office – a fact verified by
the managing partner who identified over a dozen of the associates in
the shop one day. These associates were sitting alone with documents
or laptops or having conversations in small groups. The firm created a
lunchroom that captured the feel of a coffee shop and as a result has
seen similar diverse activities by their attorneys and partners right in the
office.
To start the day, cafeterias usually serve breakfast to attract all members
of the firm. The lunchroom/cafeteria is also a setting for dinner for
attorneys working late. A full-service menu dinner is rare – only found
in very large firms, primarily in New York. Many firms with cafeterias,
however, provide take-out dinners.
Firms without cafeterias, or that don’t offer evening dining, usually allow
attorneys to order meals from restaurants. Rather than have the food
delivered to a workroom or conference room, firms have it delivered to the
lunchroom/cafeteria.
After a new lunchroom was opened in one firm, an associate who
frequently worked late realized that there were over 20 associates
working late on other floors. The connection he formed with his associ-
ates is another example of a benefit gained from the creation of these
lunchrooms/cafeterias.
Other functions
A lunchroom/cafeteria can also be the place to hold birthday, retirement,
baby and wedding celebrations. Because of the size and openness of
these spaces, firm-wide meetings can also be held in these rooms.
For many law firms, these newly renovated and fully developed
lunchroom/cafeterias have become the ultimate social center. The
opportunities lunchrooms provide continue to grow as firms discover new
and interesting ways to incorporate them into daily work life. It is likely
that, moving into the future, these cutting-edge lunchroom/cafeterias will
continue to evolve into the centerpiece of law firm office space.
For more information contact:
Chris Murray, AIA
Managing Director, Law Firm Group
Chris.Murray@am.jll.com
+1 202 719 5010
Thomas E. Doughty
International Director, Law Firm Group
Thomas.Doughty@am.jll.com
+1 202 719 5652