By Eleanor Tolbert, Louisville Business First
One of Kentucky’s oldest law firms announced Monday plans to relocate its Louisville offices.
Stoll Keenon Ogden law firm is planning to move its office to 400 W. Market St. Kendrick Riggs, partner at SKO, said in an interview the firm will occupy a 41,000-square-foot space on the 26th and 27th floors. Its only moving a few blocks away, as it’s currently located at 500 W. Jefferson St.
The firm plans to move in 2023. Riggs said the new lease begins in April 2023, and the current lease expires in October of the same year.
In the meantime, the space needs some renovation work. Riggs said the space still has the layout from the previous tenant. The firm is hoping to find a contractor by the end of this year, and construction is expected to begin in 2022. Riggs said the firm doesn’t have a cost estimate yet.
Part of the reason for the move is downsizing. Riggs said law firms require less physical storage these days because of electronic filing systems. For the same reason, the firm didn’t need to be located as close to the courthouse as it used to. Attorneys can now access court documents electronically.
“With the move from the paper world to the electronic world, we don’t need as much physical storage, books, etc.,” Riggs said. “Law firms just require less space today than they did 10 to 15 years ago.”
While design plans are still being finalized, the new space will likely include private offices with a few enclosed collaborative areas. Riggs said the forefront of design considerations is maintaining client confidentiality.
When looking for a new location, Riggs said the firm considered moving away from Downtown. The partners ultimately decided it was important to remain in the Central Business District.
“Downtown Louisville remains the center of the Louisville community,” Doug Barr, managing director for SKO, said in a news release. “It’s more important than ever to remain a part of and support the Downtown community. The new office space will better accommodate the needs of our practice in the future and enable us to attract and retain talent with modern facilities.”
Riggs said the firm has been in Downtown Louisville for over 100 years. The firm wanted to stay to support Downtown as a vital business area and show other companies they can feel comfortable doing business in the CBD.
