How to Vacation as a Lawyer

Joshua Lenon Lawyer in Residence

Clio

26% of lawyers never take a vacation

Source:(Legal(Profession(Assistance(Conference(–(Survey(of(Lawyers(on(Wellness(Issues(

Photo(by(Werner(Kunz(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Photo(by(Joe(Penniston(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Photo(by(marcp_dmoz(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Vacation is associated with lower levels of depression

in lawyers.

Source:(Allan(D.(Joudrey,(et(al.(Leisure'as'a'coping'resource:'A'test'of'the'job'demand7control7support'mode,(Human(RelaBons,(195((2009).(

Lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to suffer from depression

than non-lawyers.

Source:(American(Psychological(AssociaBon(

Lawyers have the fourth highest suicide rate.

Source:(Centers(for(Disease(Control(and(PrevenBon(

Vacations are a mental & ethical necessity for lawyers.

Rule 1.3 – Diligence

[2] A lawyer's work load must be controlled so that each matter can

be handled competently.

Photo(by(John(Fraissinet(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Photo(by(danorbit.(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

PREPARING FOR VACATION

Prepare for Vacation

1.  Schedule a Vacation 2.  Coordinate Practice Around the Vacation 3.  Pick Tools to Support Your Absence 4.  Pull in Outside Help 5.  Enjoy Yourself

Schedule Your Vacation

Photo(by(Phil(ChapmanSBell(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Coordinate Practice

•  Inform your clients of potential change in communication channels

•  Introduce them to locum when necessary •  Build vacation into your scheduling tools.

Supporting Tools •  Answering Services •  Cloud-based Tools •  Apps

Outside Help

Photo(Susan(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

Rule 1.3 – Diligence

[5] …the duty of diligence may require that each sole practitioner prepare a plan…that designates

another competent lawyer to review client files, notify each client of the

lawyer's death or disability, & determine whether there is a need

for immediate protective action.

Outside Help

Enjoy Yourself

Prepare for Vacation

1.  Schedule a Vacation 2.  Coordinate Practice Around the Vacation 3.  Pick Tools to Support Your Absence 4.  Pull in Outside Help 5.  Enjoy Yourself

Thank You

Joshua Lenon joshua@goclio.com @JoshuaLenon Linkedin.com/in/joshualenon