This document provides tips for lawyers on how to take a vacation. It notes that 26% of lawyers never take vacations, despite evidence that vacations lower depression in lawyers. Lawyers have high rates of depression and suicide. The document recommends lawyers prepare for vacations by scheduling time off, coordinating with clients and other lawyers, choosing technology to support communication during vacations, pulling in outside help if needed, and enjoying the vacation. Proper vacation planning is also an ethical requirement to ensure competent legal work.

1. How to Vacation as a Lawyer
Joshua Lenon
Lawyer in Residence
Clio

2. 26% of lawyers
never take a vacation
Source:(Legal(Profession(Assistance(Conference(–(Survey(of(Lawyers(on(
Wellness(Issues(

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

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

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

6. 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).(

7. Lawyers are 3.6 times more
likely to suffer from depression
than non-lawyers.
Source:(American(Psychological(AssociaBon(

8. Lawyers have the
fourth highest suicide rate.
Source:(Centers(for(Disease(Control(and(PrevenBon(

9. Vacations are a mental & ethical
necessity for lawyers.

10. Rule 1.3 – Diligence
[2] A lawyer's work load must be
controlled so that each matter can
be handled competently.

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

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

13. PREPARING FOR VACATION

14. 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

15. Schedule Your Vacation
Photo(by(Phil(ChapmanSBell(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

16. Coordinate Practice
• Inform your clients of potential change in
communication channels
• Introduce them to locum when necessary
• Build vacation into your scheduling tools.

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

18. Outside Help
Photo(Susan(on(Flickr(under(CreaBve(Commons(License(

19. 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.

20. Outside Help

21. Enjoy Yourself

22. 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

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