Colin Biggers & Paisley managing partner Nick Crennan said the new workspaces will “truly reflect the needs of our teams, both now and in the future”.

“These spaces will be thoughtfully designed, with abundant natural light, incorporating elements like quiet areas, a dedicated wellness room, a vibrant hub for our people to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat, and versatile collaboration areas,” he said.

“We believe that our investment in the workplace is integral to our market position and ability to attract top talent. It’s a priority for Colin Biggers & Paisley to build on our workplace culture that inspires innovation, collaboration, and growth. This commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our team reflects our dedication to delivering outstanding results for our clients and achieving sustainable success in today’s competitive landscape.”

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The “hub” is something firm staff is most excited about, Mr Crennan told Lawyers Weekly.

“It’s where we host our social gatherings, such as our monthly birthday morning teas and Friday night drinks. These central hubs are filled with natural light, plants and plenty of space for teams and people to come together. Our wellness rooms have been designed as a multipurpose space for our staff to foster wellbeing, prayer, corporate massage services, and to support our parents when they return to work,” he said.

“We have also invested in functional and welcoming client spaces. Our clients want to see us in person, and whether it is a high-level deal negotiation or mediation, or a seminar or round table discussion, it is important we have facilities that provide the adaptable space to hold these interactions. The three new office fit-outs will deliver this, really assisting with us staying connected to clients.”

Implementing new tech will also play an important part in the renovations, with the firm investing in state-of-the-art AV, technology, systems and platforms to ensure employees can work in different environments.

“Technology is an important element in the modern workplace, and an important part of this project involved understanding how we work now and how we envision working in the future and investing in technology and infrastructure to enable us,” Mr Crennan added.

“Flexibility across our systems, platforms and offices is essential as we all now work in different environments – in the office, at home, in our client’s offices, or while we’re travelling. The technology in our Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney offices will deliver a seamless experience for staff working between our offices and for connectivity and collaboration between offices.”

Late last year, a number of legal recruiters confirmed that firms not offering flexibility would become “second- and third-tier choices” for candidates – particularly in a tight legal market with mid-level lawyers and senior associates in high demand.

However, multiple partners have previously expressed concerns regarding missed mentoring and learning opportunities in the face of flexible working – and in May last year, UK firm Stephenson Harwood told its staff they could work from home permanently – provided they take a 20 per cent pay cut.

Rigid office mandates are “unlikely to work” within law firms, however – and something that not many firms are doing.

Colin Bigger & Paisley teams currently balance flexible working and in-office time, and Mr Crennan said that remote working has only demonstrated the value of “personal interaction and connection”.

“We enjoy coming together to collaborate and seek out solutions for our clients and catch up with our colleagues in the hub over a coffee. I may be biased as I have worked at Colin Biggers & Paisley for more than 30 years – it is a nice place to work – we’re friendly and supportive, and investing in a workplace that’s nice to work in and socialise in was a no-brainer for us.

“Our junior lawyers also value spending time in the office and connecting with their colleagues and peers as it is so important for osmotic learning. Spending time in the office also provides the opportunity for our lawyers to engage face to face with our shared services teams across the three offices, ensuring there is a level of advice and support from the likes of human resources, technology, business development and marketing and finance that is delivered both in person and virtually where required.

“We also see time in the office as imperative to supporting our industry teams and their focus on providing clients with seamless service delivery. For example, at any one time, our large property development, planning and construction teams will be working on a large-scale development in one of our offices, and it is critical they have the spaces to come together with the client, generate ideas and deliver connected outcomes.”

Drawing staff back into the office and “creating a thriving work environment” also translates into a competitive edge for the firm, according to Mr Crennan.

“We’re investing in the workplace experience because we see value in connecting together in person and it supports our approach to flexible and connected working. We have seen a pleasing trend of returning to office across our three sites,” he added.

“In particular, our more junior solicitors are keen to spend time in the office, connecting, working and socialising. These new workspaces support that desire and recognise the new ways in which our teams work.”