CONTACT US
Share: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn I recommend visiting cushmanwakefield.com to read:%0A%0A {0} %0A%0A {1}
bright-insight-digital assets- article banner.jpg bright-insight-digital assets- hero mobile banner.jpg

BRIGHT INSIGHT 2025 

National Legal Sector Benchmark Survey Results


Cushman & Wakefield’s Legal Sector Advisory Group (LSAG) has published its proprietary legal sector 2025 benchmark survey findings—Bright Insight.  

The legal sector continues to outpace office-using industries in both leasing activity and employment growth, fueled by a 13.6% increase in U.S. lawyers since 2020 and a strong demand for premium, flexible office space. Law firms are locking in long-term leases while also rethinking their real estate strategies to align with hybrid work models, shifting associate expectations, and rapid technological change—driving innovation in workplace design and positioning the sector for an agile future. Cushman & Wakefield’s Legal Sector Advisory Group (LSAG) dives into these developments in its 12th annual Bright Insight report. Based on input from law firm leaders around the world, the report explores trends in office space, workplace strategy, talent management, and technology. Backed by Cushman & Wakefield’s extensive experience, the report sheds light on the priorities shaping the legal sector in 2025 and beyond.

Law Firms Prioritizing In-Office Work Requirements

The legal industry remains one of the most office-focused sectors, with 56% of firms expecting attorneys to work on-site at least three days a week—far exceeding industries like technology (26%) and finance (39%). This trend has only intensified in 2025. The percentage of firms allowing 1st and 2nd year associates to work remotely three or more days a week has plummeted YOY from 31% to just 13%, while the number of firms expecting a full five-day per week office presence has surged, rising from 5% to 13%.

AI Is a Growing Priority for Many Law Firms, but its Potential Remains Untapped

Over the past two years, technology use in law firms has surged from 17% in 2023 to 50% today, with another third planning to adopt it soon. Firms are also set to increase tech budgets, expecting to allocate 5.5% of revenue in the next two years, up from 4.0% in 2025. While interest in new tools is clear, their application varies, and many firms are still figuring out how to use them effectively.

Want more legal services trends & Insights?
Click here to receive more information on legal services trends and insights.
Subscribe

Authors

David C Smith (image)
David Smith

Head of Americas Insights, Global Research
Atlanta, United States


Download VCard

Maggie_Tillotson_headshot.jpg
Maggie Tillotson

Sr. Research Analyst
Indianapolis, United States


Download VCard

Contributors

Samantha-Sannella
Samantha Sannella

Business Lead, Total Workplace Americas
Canada


Download VCard

Rachel Casanova (image)
Rachel Casanova

Sr. Managing Director, Workplace
New York, United States


Download VCard

Nicola Gillen
Nicola Gillen

Managing Director, EMEA Advisory & EMEA Lead, Total Workplace
London, United Kingdom


Download VCard

Marissa Huber Miami (image)
Marissa Huber

Director, Total Workplace
Miami, United States


Download VCard

Jessica Howe
Jessica Howe

Vice President, Global Practice Groups
Boston, United States


Download VCard

Related Insights

05.2025_legal-sector-update_web-card.jpg
Research • Legal

Legal Sector Leasing Insights

Access the latest legal sector occupancy trends and national leasing activity.
David Smith • 5/28/2025
Fit Out Cost Guide 2025_Web Card.jpg
Research • Workplace

Office Fit Out Cost Guide

Explore our Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2025 to budget and plan your workspace transformation in the U.S. effectively. Start optimizing your office today.
3/31/2025
amenities-driving-leasing-webcard
Research

​​Which Amenities Are Driving Leasing Activity?​

Occupiers were already seeking out differentiated office space prior to the pandemic. In fact, 90% of office absorption in 2018 and 2019 was in Class A quality buildings, which only account for approximately half of total inventory.
Marissa Huber • 4/11/2023

Related Services

Legal Sector Advisory Group
Cushman & Wakefield’s global Legal Sector Advisory Group (“LSAG”) consists of more than 450 global advisors that specialize in strategizing, creating, and implementing real estate solutions that support the business and people of today’s legal sector.
Learn More

Ready to talk?

Our professionals are ready to provide further details on this and many other topics.

With your permission we and our partners would like to use cookies in order to access and record information and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device to ensure our website performs as expected, to develop and improve our products, and for advertising and insight purposes.

Alternatively click on More Options and select your preferences before providing or refusing consent. Some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

You can change your preferences at any time by returning to this site or clicking on  Cookies

More Options
Agree and Close
These cookies ensure that our website performs as expected,for example website traffic load is balanced across our servers to prevent our website from crashing during particularly high usage.
These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced features. These cookies do not gather any information about you that could be used for advertising or remember where you have been on the internet.
These cookies allow us to work with our marketing partners to understand which ads or links you have clicked on before arriving on our website or to help us make our advertising more relevant to you.
Agree All
Reject All
SAVE SETTINGS