Kaiser Blog

For myself and my fellow bar members, being a lawyer is a big part of who we are. It is more than a job; for many, it helps to shape our identity. People often define us by it: “Susie’s a lawyer,” “John’s a lawyer.” We are all, of course, more than lawyers—we have families, friends, hobbies, and lives outside the profession—but even when we’re doing other things, we’re still lawyers.

But what does it mean to be a lawyer and why do we do it? There are many reasons people become lawyers—it’s intellectually challenging, it can provide a good living, it doesn’t involve math—but the reason many of us stay in the profession, at least, is the opportunity to help clients navigate difficult challenges. Clients seek our assistance, and we guide them to the best solutions by applying our specialized skills, knowledge, and experience.

Of course, such deeper purposes can be clouded by day-to-day demands, a river of emails, and juggling deadlines. Without realizing it, our lives and identities as lawyers can become a stream of tasks, a to-do list that must be managed carefully lest any ball drop. Sometimes, you need to step back, to step away from all that work, to recapture why we do what we do.

I am fortunate to work at a firm that offers a way to do exactly that. Every five years, each lawyer at Kaiser PLLC—regardless of seniority—takes a sabbatical. It’s expected—you don’t have to worry about losing standing or a bonus. Unlike many vacations, there is no checking of emails (you don’t have access), and no calls (no contact from colleagues, except in a true emergency). Planning starts months in advance to ensure clients’ matters are in good hands. But once that’s done, you’re completely unplugged.

For me, it was eight weeks off. The idea of being totally disconnected from work that long was both exciting and a little terrifying (if I’m honest)—see identity discussion, above. When I logged off my email, I felt a little light-headed. What about my to-do list? Minutes later, I instinctively reached for my phone to check my email. But work was … gone.

On the surface, I did a lot of fun things. I traveled to my son’s baseball tournaments, caught up on all the little things in life that pile up (my other to-do list), took a beach vacation with my teenagers, and helped my daughter settle into her first year of college, all without interruption. Most memorably, I spent a week in a cabin on the Rapidan River—just me, my dogs, a fishing rod, a thick book (which had nothing to do with the law), and, most importantly, no smart phone. THAT was truly unplugging.

But deeper than the trips and the fun, the time away allowed me to reconnect with parts of myself that are often overshadowed by the everyday work of being a lawyer. Turns out that when you truly step away from the daily distractions of legal work, you can see better why that work matters, both to you and to your clients. I had time to reflect on what I enjoy about the law: the intellectual challenge, the opportunity to help clients navigate through difficulties, the collaboration with colleagues, and the satisfaction of seeing people’s real problems resolved. Yes, the sabbatical was an exercise in self-care; but it also allowed me to remember and recalibrate my sense of purpose as a lawyer.

Kaiser’s sabbatical program exists because we believe it benefits not just the lawyers, but also the firm and our clients. Our clients come to us with complex legal challenges that demand focus, time, and thoughtful attention. While we can manage our to-do lists, delivering the best possible service requires genuine investment in our clients’ problems. Sabbaticals not only reward our attorneys for their hard work but also offer them an opportunity to step away, and to return refreshed, with a renewed perspective and energy. We believe that when we’re clear-minded and aligned with our purpose, our dedication to our clients becomes even stronger.

Being a lawyer is challenging. It can be stressful. And when it is reduced to a series of daily tasks, it is easy to lose sight of why we do what we do. To regain that perspective, it is essential to step back from that grind. Kaiser’s sabbatical program allows our lawyers a chance to do that. It is an investment in our people that allows us to deliver the best possible service to our clients. Judging by how I feel after coming back, recharged and ready to go, with a renewed sense of purpose, I’d say it’s working.