Latham & Watkins LLP is usually ranked among the top local law practices. But the firm is taking an important step down.

Lawyers at the Los Angeles-based operation packed their boxes and moved from the midlevel floors of the landmark U.S. Bank Tower to the first 15 floors of the KPMG Tower at Wells Fargo Center, 355 South Grand Ave. Both buildings are owned by Maguire Properties Inc., a longtime client of the firm.

When Latham announced the firm was leaving its digs on floors 35 through 45 for accommodations closer to the ground, rumors swirled that the decision was partially motivated by concerns over being up too high in the post-9/11 age.

John Clair, managing partner, said fear wasn’t a factor; the move was prompted by a desire to upgrade the firm’s offices in a new space.

“Both buildings are completely safe,” Clair said. “We had the opportunity to completely remove the existing improvements and tailor the space to our requirements, which was a lot easier then doing a rehabilitation of our existing space.”

He said swapping the prestige of the top floors for the lower levels was a trade-off.

“At the top of a building, you get a view that is very dramatic and panoramic,” Clair said. “But at the bottom you get cityscape feeling, and feel more connected to Los Angeles.”

The firm’s 600 lawyers and support staff were scheduled to move into the remodeled 300,000-square-foot space this week. The new offices feature a spectacular two-story lobby featuring a grand staircase with a transparent observation deck.

Construction on the space began after the firm announced last March that it would be moving. The sound of drills and hammers echoed on the street last week as a construction crew worked around the clock to finish on schedule.

The space, which was designed by L.A.-based law firm interior designer Barbara Dunn of Gensler, includes a gym and locker rooms new amenities for the firm’s attorneys.

As Latham settles into the new office location, other occupants of the building are welcoming their new neighbors.

Other law firms Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, Bingham McCutchen LLP and Reed Smith LLP will be on top of Latham in the KPMG tower.

“We look forward to having them in the building, but are very happy to be on the top four floors with our lawyers,”

said Richard Welch, managing partner of Bingham’s

Los Angeles office.

The 10 floors in the U.S. Bank Tower that Latham used to occupy have yet to be leased, a Maguire spokesman said.