The U.S. legal sector posted a record quarter for office leasing in Q2 2026, with law firms signing 7.3 million square feet of space, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s “Legal Sector Leasing Trends” report. The report identifies legal tenants as a key source of demand in the broader office market during the period.
Leasing volume for the legal industry increased 27% year over year in the second quarter, underscoring the sector’s relative strength compared with many other office-using industries. Cushman & Wakefield’s analysis highlights that this momentum extended beyond a single quarter, reflecting sustained activity over the first half of the year.
From January through June 2026, law firms leased approximately 12.2 million square feet of office space nationwide, representing a 17% increase from the same period in 2025. The data suggests that large, institutional firms were especially active: nine of the 10 largest leases signed in 2026 involved AmLaw 100 firms, pointing to significant commitments from the industry’s largest occupiers.
Expansions were a notable component of this activity. The report indicates that 43% of first-half 2026 leases in the legal sector were expansions rather than renewals or relocations. This share of expansion leasing signals growing space needs among a substantial portion of law firm tenants, even as many office markets continue to adjust to hybrid work patterns.
Legal firms also represented an outsized share of total office leasing in key markets. In Q2 2026, law firms accounted for 14% of all office leasing activity across the 10 major legal markets tracked by Cushman & Wakefield. Within that group, New York City led by a wide margin, accounting for 30% of the quarter’s legal-sector leasing volume, followed by strong levels of activity in Chicago and the D.C. Metro.
Looking ahead, Cushman & Wakefield’s report notes that leasing velocity in the legal sector could moderate somewhat in the second half of 2026. Even with a potential easing in pace, the researchers conclude that law firms remain positioned for another strong year of leasing overall.
The report also indicates that legal tenants are expected to continue playing a meaningful role in stabilizing and improving U.S. office demand over the remainder of 2026. As other office-using industries move at varying speeds in their leasing decisions, law firms are projected to remain a significant, reliable source of activity in major legal markets.
