Law firms drive premium office demand despite AI adoption
Cushman & Wakefield reports that US law firms leased 4.
BY ECONOMICS DESK · JUNE 11, 2026 · 1 MIN READ
Cushman & Wakefield reports that US law firms leased 4.6 million square feet in Q1 2026, the second-strongest first quarter on record, and 31% more office space over the past four quarters than in 2019. The same report says 62% of law firms now actively use AI, up from 17% in 2023, with another 21% planning implementation. AI is not translating into a lower-footprint legal sector. Instead, leading firms are treating office, technology and workforce strategy as linked investments in collaboration, training, client engagement and premium talent retention.