Leadership Academy: Practical advice for unplugging during the holidays
New and young lawyers offer tips for maintaining work-life balance during a busy time of the year
St. Louis Lawyer Brittany Chapman worked through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year’s Day holidays last year, pulling 12-14-hour days and rarely resting or taking time for outside activities. Chapman, who was admitted to the bar in 2014, was navigating the challenges of a new managerial role in a government agency and addressing a backlog of cases. 
“My family urged me to step back, but I felt I could not step away from the demands of my work,” she said.
She wasn’t alone. According to a 2023 Bloomberg Law survey, 59% of the lawyers surveyed reported they faced the challenge of an inability to “disconnect” from work.
“Attorneys reported taking nine days off during the second half of 2023, but over three-quarters of the respondents said that they worked on about half (or more) of their days off,” according to Bloomberg Law.
Failing to maintain work-life balance doesn’t just affect your own health and well-being – it impacts the people closest to you and your ability to serve your clients effectively.
“I’ve come to understand that neglecting basic needs like sleep and downtime doesn’t make me more productive; in fact, it diminishes my ability to serve others effectively,” Chapman said.
Chapman is a member of The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy, a program consisting of select new and young lawyers who have shown leadership qualities in their communities. Chapman and several other members of the 2024-25 Leadership Academy class shared their experiences and strategies for finding work-life balance as new and young lawyers, particularly around the holidays.
Plan ahead
Legal professionals should plan ahead around the holidays. Courtney Klaus, an Overland Park commercial litigation lawyer with Polsinelli, prioritizes completing as many tasks as she can during the first half of December so she has more flexibility at the end of the year.
“I also make plans to see my family months in advance, and I put those plans on my work calendar before it fills up,” Klaus said. “This way, I do not accidentally over commit myself and miss out on time with loved ones.”
Communicating your availability early on can also help set expectations with colleagues and clients, added Bethany Allen, risk management counsel at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis.
Kelly “Koki” Sabatés, an Overland Park lawyer at DeVaughn James, suggested lawyers plan ahead starting with scheduling order. Keep that in mind when setting deadlines and tell the counsel of record – and even the judge if necessary – that you are being mindful of the holiday season.
“We all know how precious life is and you truly never know when it will be your last time to enjoy this special time with your loved ones [during the holiday season],” she said. “So, it’s always important to value that.”
Organize
Holly Weiss, assistant general counsel and policy director at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, creates a list of specific tasks she wants to complete by end of year and sets realistic goals for completing them.
“[K]now how your brain works (mine is lists, time allotments, and task completion) and then formulate a plan now so you're not crunching in work the night before Christmas Eve,” she added.
Unplug and recharge
Work-life balance is difficult, and may at times feel impossible, to achieve as a lawyer due to the demand and long hours. But treating your career like a marathon, not a sprint, and taking time to do activities you like will help prevent burnout, said Sean P. Connelly, an assistant state public defender in St. Louis.
Connelly said he’s learned it’s ok for him to leave his laptop at the office – the task will still be there when he gets back.
“When you are at work, you are at work. When you are at home, be home,” he said. “Be present with your loved ones, friends, kids, etc.”
Allen added she’s had moments where she felt like work was taking over and needed to set boundaries. Don’t be afraid to unplug when you’re off — it’s okay to step away, recharge, and come back strong, she said.
“I had to make a conscious effort to say, ‘Okay, this is my time now,’” she said.
Allen is now intentional in setting aside time for activities that bring her joy – like hanging out with friends at a new restaurant, planning a quick spontaneous trip, watching her favorite show, or enjoying time with her dog, Egypt.
Chapman said there are days she blocks out time on her calendar to rest and recharge, only answering messages if they are emergencies.
“This time is sacred, allowing me to completely step away from responsibilities and refocus on my well-being,” she said.
She has also found that taking a sick day to rest and sleep helped her recover faster and return to work with more energy to even better serve her clients and communities.
MOLAP
If you are struggling with burnout or work-life balance, the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program is here to help. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and hope.
MOLAP provides no-cost professional, confidential counseling program for members of The Missouri Bar, immediate family members who reside with them, and law students. It also offers peer-to-peer mentoring and support that lawyers can utilize. Visit MoBar.org/MOLAP for more information.