Snell & Wilmer recently expanded into 8,274 square feet at 5520 Kietzke Lane, Suite 200. Courtesy Snell & Wilmer
The Reno office of legal firm Snell & Wilmer will be making a big splash for its 15th anniversary of serving clients in Northern Nevada.
Snell & Wilmer opened its office in Reno in 2010 with just four attorneys, and for the past decade an ever-growing group of legal professionals has been working from increasingly cramped quarters in a downtown office building. The firm recently expanded into 8,274 square feet at 5520 Kietzke Lane, Suite 200. The four-story Class A office building was developed and constructed by McKenzie Properties, which has its offices on the top floor.
Jacey Prupas, managing partner of the Reno office of Snell & Wilmer, told NNBW that it was imperative the firm increased the footprint of its office space. An equally important aspect of making the move, however, was engaging an interior designer to create a premier office environment that welcomed guests and invigorated staff.
“We were just busting at the seams,” Prupas said. “We liked being downtown because of the courthouses, but we preferred south of town too. It was really important to find a good space and have a designer be part of the buildout process to create a place where people are energized and excited to come to work.
“We do not struggle with getting people in the office. On a daily basis, we probably have 80 to 90 percent of our people showing up, but this has re-energized them because it's so beautiful.”
Lea Wilson and Hannah DeHaven of OneStudio D+A were the interior designers for Snell & Wilmer’s new offices. Wilson and Prupas were acquaintances from their time at Galena High School in the late 1990s.
The space was partitioned and reconfigured to add 15 private offices and three conference rooms. The setup – especially the addition of the large conference rooms – allows for much better conversations and workflow for Snell & Wilmer attorneys. At its old 5,000-square-foot location, the firm did not have adequate conference space, so whenever Snell & Wilmer lawyers had to conduct depositions, mediations, conferences and other important legal matters with larger groups, they had to rent office space in nearby buildings, Prupas said.
Jacey Prupas“I’m excited to have that on our turf,” she said. “Clients get to see and experience us in our space.”
Conducting all matters in their own spot also gives Snell & Wilmer attorneys much greater control over the atmosphere and overall client experience. The firm can host events, bring in catering, and create a much more welcoming atmosphere for clients than at an off-site location.
“It’s another dimension of marketing that we’ve never had before in Reno,” Prupas said. “It’s a way for people to experience Snell and not have to be apologetic about having to squeeze into a little conference room. It’s a way to be proud of our organization and energize everyone who works there.”
Another wrinkle of the move that should provide a huge boost to Snell & Wilmer’s marketing efforts: Company signage facing Interstate 580. Once the deal was inked, building owner McKenzie Properties erected signage for Snell & Wilmer on the front of the building that’s easily visible from the freeway.
“That was huge for us – so many people have already called and said they have seen it,” Prupas said.
In March, Snell & Wilmer will celebrate its 15th year of doing business in Northern Nevada. The firm will host an anniversary party at its new location April 10, Prupas said. The company’s growth mirrors that of Greater Reno-Sparks during that time.
“We hit the market at the perfect time when all these companies were looking at Reno to expand their regional footprint,” Prupas said. “But we also have a wonderful culture at our firm. We work hard and do great work, and we work a lot, but we also care about our people. It has been the No.1 attraction for us over the last 10 years.”
Snell & Wilmer planted its flag in Northern Nevada with just four lawyers but now boasts a team of 12 lawyers, one paralegal and five support staff. Prupas started at the Reno office as an associate but was named managing partner three years ago with a nod to building out the scope of services offered locally by Snell & Wilmer.
“My job as managing partner is to build out every aspect of a full-range law firm for the Reno office,” Prupas said. “So far we’ve done a good job. We cover bankruptcy, real estate transactional and litigation deals, land use, IP, all aspects of complex business litigation, and high-end trust estate work and litigation.”
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer employs more than 500 attorneys in offices in 16 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The company is headquartered in Phoenix.
