Green and lactation-friendly: Welcome to T&K's new digs

Dallas-based Thompson & Knight is wrapping up its second day in its new home. The firm relocated its headquarters from the 1700 Pacific building in downtown Dallas to the new, mixed-use One Arts Plaza building in the arts district. The firm completed its move over the weekend to 180,000 square feet of space on six floors, complete with airy new workspaces that feature 10-foot ceilings and glass dividers instead of walls to improve lighting. "We picked it, because it would be an energizing and innovative space," says Larry Hicks, the firm's administrative partner and managing partner of the Dallas office. "The reaction is great, better than anticipated. People love it," he says. In a press release, Thompson & Knight touts several environmentally friendly features, including  diversion of more than 50 percent of construction waste from landfills, use of regionally produced and recycled building materials, and an energy management system. The firm is pursuing LEED-CI (leadership in energy and environmental design - commercial interiors) certification of its workspace by the U.S. Green Building Council. That would signify "high performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work" and "have a reduced environmental footprint," according to the release. The offices also feature a "Mother's Room" for breastfeeding, a biometrics security system, and sound-proofing and sound-baffling features to protect client confidentiality. Thompson & Knight had been a tenant in 1700 Pacific since 1983. The Dallas office comprises about 220 attorneys and 230 paralegals and support staffers.
-- Jonathan Fox