HUNTSVILLE – Butler Snow LLP in Huntsville is modernizing what it means to be a law firm. From the open layout of their office, to the identical workstations for every team member, Butler Snow is willing to do something different.
“Most law firms you walk into there’s the big corner offices for senior partners, big libraries and the closed off conference rooms,” said Bill Lunsford, a litigation attorney with the firm.
“Here we are literally working shoulder to shoulder. Legal assistants, paralegals, administrative staff and attorneys – everyone has the same workstation, working side-by-side.”
“It’s an innovative, collaborative environment that promotes teamwork,” said Lunsford.
The office, located at 200 West Side Square, across from the Madison County courthouse,
opened in April. The two-story, 14,000-square-foot space in the former Central Bank Building formerly housed The Huntsville Times/AL.com offices. The office still contains the bank’s original vault, which has been converted to a conference room.
“We signed the lease at 9:00 a.m. on a Friday and opened for business at 8:30 a.m. the
following Monday,” said Huntsville attorney Daniel Wilson.
“It was such a big departure from the traditional law office that, initially, we were a little worried how it would work out. But it turns out the office actually is a reflection of our Firm’s culture and how we conduct our business, not only within our Firm and our offices, but also with our clients,” he said.
Huntsville is one of the newest Butler Snow offices and the third location in Alabama. The law firm of Butler Snow offers the full range of business law and litigation services, with 26 offices in the U.S., plus offices in London and Singapore.
A distinctive work environment in Huntsville isn’t the only way Butler Snow is different.
Leslie Sharpe, a Huntsville attorney who practices in the areas of economic development and commercial real estate, emphasized the ‘one-firm’ mindset of Butler Snow. “The firm is not based in any one particular location, nor are there managing partners. Active participation and collaboration across Butler Snow’s footprint is the standard and this approach enhances the
firm’s culture and the services we can offer our clients.”
Most firms bill by the hour, but Butler Snow has recognized that many of their clients were
seeking more predictability in their legal spending. Traditionally, law firms were reluctant to
consider alternative fee arrangements.
Butler Snow has challenged this assumption with considerable success and become an industry leader in providing clients with alternative fee arrangements.
While the collaborative nature of their office space promotes teamwork, it also fits well with the Firm’s culture.
“Our core value is placing importance on fostering a truly collaborative culture internally in order to more effectively serve all of our clients,” said Lunsford.
A young attorney at Butler Snow, Lynette Potter said the ease of accessibility to all levels within Butler Snow accelerates growth in the firm.
“The opportunities to work and learn in this environment are astounding,” said Potter. “I
wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Lunsford agreed, “I don’t think I could go back to the older-style offices. I’m surprised how well it has worked. We are much more efficient and energized in this environment.”
“I wouldn’t want to go back.”
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