Taking a Hiatus from Practicing Law

By Harrison Barnes, Esq.

It is becoming increasingly common for attorneys desiring more than a few weeks off from the practice of law to simply quit their current jobs. Unlike some other professions, most law firms do not look favorably upon attorneys’ taking more than a few weeks off unless they are involved in “a major life event.” In the calculus of most law firms, a “major life event” is primarily limited to such circumstances as the death of a close family member (usually a spouse), a life-threatening illness, or the birth of a child (only if you are a woman). Accordingly, attorneys without such explanations often simply quit, explaining to flabbergasted partners that they want to take some time off for travel or reflection. The logic most attorneys follow in quitting is that … Read more at BCG Attorney Search