What if You Could Build Culture Without More Software?
What if you could build a strong culture, accelerate attorney development, and boost team morale with no new software or expensive programs?
That’s exactly what happened when Jeff Hughes, CEO of Sterling Lawyers, introduced a simple but powerful structure: a 12-foot communal table.
One Table. Massive Impact.
Inside the Menomonee Falls office, attorneys don’t stay siloed in their offices. They choose to work around a shared table, collaborating on cases, preparing for court, and mentoring new hires in real time.
It’s not a formal program. There are no rules or mandates.
“We’re not required to be in the office every day. But we come in anyway, because of that table.”
— Bailey Hol, Senior Associate
This setup has become one of the firm’s most effective tools for:
- Training junior attorneys
- Sharing practical case experience
- Reducing attorney burnout
- Building authentic community
The Layout: Open Collaboration, Private Focus
The office was redesigned to support both collaboration and deep work:
- A large communal table sits in the center of the open space
- Private offices ring the perimeter for Zoom calls and focused drafting
- Law clerks rotate in and work at the table to gain real-time exposure
“It’s the starting and ending point of my day. I go there first thing, and I’m back between meetings, calls, and court.”
— Bailey Hol
Explore all Sterling Lawyers’ Wisconsin locations to see how the team is structured.
Real Collaboration, Not Forced Interaction
This isn’t a top-down initiative. No one is forced to work at the table.
Everyone naturally gravitated to it — because the firm hires people who enjoy working together.
“We just like each other. That was the starting point. And that’s how it works.”
— Austin Miller, Partner
Veteran attorneys share their knowledge freely. Junior attorneys pick up strategy, tone, and judgment tendencies just by being there.
A System That Trains and Retains
When Bailey joined, she had just two months of legal experience. Less than two years later, she was promoted to Senior Associate.
“I was observing everything: how others prepped, how they talked about judges, how they debriefed cases. I learned faster because I was surrounded by it all day.”
— Bailey Hol
Senior attorneys grow too:
“We don’t just train others. We improve our own skills by sharing and getting feedback. That table made me a better lawyer.”
— Austin Miller
See the full Wisconsin attorney team that supports this culture.
Mental Health Benefits for a High-Stress Practice
Family law is emotionally heavy. It’s easy to feel isolated.
This shared table creates connection.
“I can’t take all that home. But I can talk to someone at the table who gets it. And that makes a huge difference.”
— Austin Miller
The team checks in with each other every morning. They help each other through tough hearings, difficult cases, and personal stress — all organically.
Leadership Makes It Work
The furniture didn’t drive the culture. The leadership did.
Jeff Hughes sets the tone, and Managing Attorney Holly Mullen reinforces it day to day.
“You can’t force people to collaborate. You have to hire people who want to. And you have to create the kind of culture where it feels natural.”
— Bailey Hol
Learn more about Jeff’s leadership philosophy.
Want to Try This in Your Office?
You don’t need a new building. You need:
- One central, shared workspace
- Private spaces nearby
- A team built on helpfulness and humility
- Leaders who model the behavior daily
“You can’t fake it. But if you’ve got the right people, it will work.”
— Jeff Hughes
See This in Action
Want to visualize the setup?
Explore case studies and behind-the-scenes content from inside Sterling Lawyers.
You can also meet the full team via the Sterling About page.
Final Thoughts
The office isn’t just where work happens. It’s where mentorship, leadership, and culture are built.
At Sterling Lawyers, it all starts at one very large table.
Take the Next Step
Want help designing a collaborative, high-performing office?
Need help onboarding new attorneys?
Or check out Jeff’s client book for real-world law firm strategies
