Searching for a new place to call home, attorneys at Jackson Kelly PLLC‘s Evansville office looked at a dusty, unoccupied middle floor in a Downtown tower and started to dream.
Long used for storage and little else, the Fifth Third Center’s seventh story would need vision and substantial financing to become state-of-the-art law firm offices. The build-out took a full 18 months, but Jackson Kelly’s 16 local attorneys and 20 staff members now practice in a space that might rival any other in the city.
Jackson Kelly moved into its new digs in August, one floor beneath its affiliated title company, Lockyear Title LLC, with whom it shared a prior building at 221 N.W. Fifth St. To say Jackson Kelly’s team members are enjoying the relocation might be an understatement — they frequently walk clients through and have hosted receptions for invited guests.
A signature feature is the terrace, which offers stunning views of Downtown and the Ohio River bend. It’s the only exterior overlook on the 15-story Fifth Third Center at 20 N.W. Third St., and it’s quite a spot — there’s lounge seating, a fire pit, and room to roam.
As Jackson Kelly leaders pondered a move from their former home on Northwest Fifth Street, “I wanted an outdoor something,” says Marc Fine, managing partner of the firm’s Evansville office. “Give me some fresh air.”
The terrace is a popular spot for attorneys and staff to conduct business — “I see people on phones out there constantly,” Fine says. “Every day somebody’s out there, it seems at all different hours.”
Jackson Kelly staff are enjoying scenic looks from their office windows, as well as the patio.
“The stunning skyline view energizes my workday and showcases Evans- ville’s vibrant charm from a whole new perspective,” attorney Joshua Claybourn says.
It’s not all work and no play, though. There’s a firepit on the terrace after all, and as Fine points out, Jackson Kelly’s new office features an open keg, adding another relaxing element when legal duties wind down for the day.
Those coming off the elevator into the office are received in a bright, spacious lobby and waiting area. The line of attorney offices allows for both privacy and collaboration. A combination of patterned carpet and Italian tile flooring covers the space.
Besides the terrace, another distinguishing feature is the firm’s conference room with a glass folding wall, allowing for either a closed or an open space. The wall was manufactured in Germany, and Fine says getting the engineered product shipped to Evansville pushed back the new office’s completion.
Jackson Kelly attorney Lucero Kieffer says the new office space “has that genuine law firm feel. With the professional design and layout, it’s the kind of space that helps create the right atmosphere for both new attorneys and seasoned professionals.”
Graf Architecture & Design of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, handled interior design duties, and Fine adds that his wife, Cindy Fine, also provided “boots on the ground” design insight.
Pinnacle Contractors Inc. of Evansville built out the office space, and “they couldn’t have been nicer,” Fine says. “I know our demands were pretty high.”
Jackson Kelly has eight locations across six states, and the firm primarily handles business clients. The firm’s Evansville attorneys and staff wanted an entire floor for their new office — at their prior location, they were spread across two floors. The new space allows for easier interaction and socialization, creating a more connected work environment for all.
Befitting Jackson Kelly’s area of focus, they also sought a location surrounded by business activity.
All those goals are accomplished in the Fifth Third Center, which is mostly filled and, as Fine notes, within easy walking distance of several Downtown lunch spots.
Fine says he thinks Riverview Investments LLC, the firm’s new landlords in the 43-year-old tower, “are proud to have us, and we’re proud to be here.”
The upscale office space offers added motivation to do excellent work, says Ryan Parker, a Jackson Kelly attorney.
“There seems to be a unique experience upon entering the new space and viewing the beautiful vistas of our riverfront city,” Parker says. “I think it sub- consciously encourages us to maintain the high level of professionalism and quality for which the firm is known.”
Charles Compton, another attorney in the firm, adds, “The new office is really something — the views throughout are inspiring and the patio space is such a great feature. But beyond that, the design incorporates all of the state-of-the-art technology, collaborative workspaces, quiet areas for concentration, and overall versatility needed to practice law in the 21st Century.”
