Rubin Rudman expands with 58,000-square-foot lease in Boston's Financial District

Overview

Updated Sep 23

Rubin Rudman, a Boston law firm, will expand and relocate to Tishman Speyer's One Federal St. tower in the Financial District next year. The 58,000-square-foot lease is part of a national trend: law firm leasing hit a record 10.7 million square feet in 2025, the third straight year of growth.

The move reverses a decade-long pattern of law firms leaving the Financial District for the Seaport and Back Bay. Law firms now account for 10.1% of U.S. office leasing, more than double their share in 2018.

Why it matters

If law firms keep expanding, white-collar work is returning to city centers—and commercial real estate may be stabilizing after years of remote-work uncertainty.

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Key Indicators

58,000 SF

Rubin Rudman's new lease at One Federal St.

The Boston law firm will expand and relocate to the Financial District tower next year.

10.1%

Law firm share of U.S. office leasing in 2025

More than double the industry's share in 2018.

Consecutive years of law firm leasing growth

Law firms leased 10.7 million square feet in 2025, a record.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Rob Speyer

Chief Executive Officer, Tishman Speyer

Active

Organizations Involved

Rubin Rudman

Law Firm

Expanding and relocating to One Federal St.

Boston-based law firm expanding to 58,000 square feet at One Federal St.

Tishman Speyer

Real estate developer

Landlord of One Federal St.

Global real estate developer and owner of One Federal St. in Boston.

Timeline

December 2012 September 2026

3 events Latest: September 23rd, 2026 · 2 months ago

September 2026
Rubin Rudman signs 58,000 SF lease at One Federal St.
Latest Lease

Boston law firm will expand and relocate to Tishman Speyer's Financial District tower.
September 23rd, 2026
2025
Law firm leasing hits record levels
Market Data

Law firms lease 10.7 million square feet nationally, third straight year of growth.
2025
December 2012
Goodwin Procter announces move to Fan Pier
Corporate Move

Boston's second-largest law firm leaves Financial District for waterfront.
December 19th, 2012

Scenarios

Rubin Rudman completes relocation to One Federal St.

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Banker & Tradesman

The lease is signed and the firm plans to move next year. Barring a major disruption, the relocation should proceed as planned.

More law firms follow Rubin Rudman to the Financial District

Possible Resolves by Sep 23, 2027

Discussed by: Boston Business Journal, commercial real estate analysts

If Rubin Rudman's move is successful, other law firms may follow, reversing the 2010s exodus. This would signal a broader revival of the Financial District.

Rubin Rudman's lease is reduced or cancelled

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Commercial real estate analysts

If the firm's growth stalls or the office market deteriorates, Rubin Rudman could reduce or cancel its lease at One Federal St.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 2012

Goodwin Procter's 2012 Move to Fan Pier

Goodwin Procter, Boston's second-largest law firm, announced it would move from State Street to Fan Pier, a $3 billion waterfront development. Ropes & Gray, Foley Hoag, and Nutter had already left the Financial District for the Seaport and Back Bay.

Then

The Financial District was widely seen as dying, with vacancies rising and workers leaving for the waterfront.

Now

The district's office market declined for years, with rents lagging the Seaport and Back Bay.

Why this matters now

Shows the previous cycle of law firms leaving the Financial District, which Rubin Rudman's move now reverses.

April 2005

Proskauer Rose's 2005 Boston Expansion

Proskauer Rose expanded its Boston office to 23,000 square feet in One International Place, in the heart of the Financial District. The office had grown from 15 lawyers to nearly 60 in a year.

Then

The expansion showed the Financial District was a prime location for law firm growth.

Now

The district later lost many law firms to other neighborhoods, but Proskauer's growth demonstrated the area's appeal.

Why this matters now

Shows that the Financial District was once a hub for law firm expansion, and Rubin Rudman's move echoes this earlier growth.