The lawyers who truly enjoy their summer break are usually the ones who started planning for it in October.
Every year the pattern repeats: clients want deals signed and hours recorded, settlements finalised and matters "sorted before Christmas", while courts, counterparties and colleagues begin winding down. The squeeze is predictable, and somewhat handled well but the next eight weeks can set you up for a genuine rest and reset once the doors close. So, what should you be doing right now?
Start with an honest audit of your files. Which matters genuinely must be completed before the break, and which only feel urgent? Talk to clients now about realistic timeframes. A client told in October that their transaction needs signed documents by early December is far happier than one told on 20 December that it will slip to February.
Map every limitation date, filing deadline and court timetable that falls between now and the end of January. Remember that the other side, registries and third parties will also be running on reduced capacity. Build in buffers, chase outstanding information early, and diarise reminders for the first week back.
Finally, tidy up. Close finished files, send out final invoices, and record your time properly. Your future self, and your firm's accounts team, will thank you.
The end of the year is one of the busiest periods in the legal recruitment market. Firms are finalising budgets and headcount for the new year, annual reviews have just landed, and many lawyers use the break to think about where their careers are heading. The result is a flurry of quiet conversations in November and December, followed by a wave of moves in the new year.
If you are open to a change, whether a new practice area, a different firm or an opportunity overseas, now is the time to have a confidential conversation, update your CV and get clear on what you actually want. If you are happy where you are, embrace that, but it is still worth knowing your market value. Either way, approach it professionally: a move should never come at the expense of your current clients or a messy handover.
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Your supervisors need visibility. Give them a clear picture of your workload, flag anything at risk early, and do not let a problem surface on your last day before leave. A short written status note on each active file is invaluable.
Your colleagues need fairness. Agree leave dates early and coordinate cover so the office is never left short. Prepare proper handover notes for anyone covering your matters: key dates, client contacts, where documents are saved, and what is likely to come up.
Your firm needs you to finish the year well. That means billing up to date, files in order, and a professional out-of-office message with an alternative contact. It also means showing up for the team, whether that is pitching in on a colleague's urgent deadline or turning up to the Christmas function.
Law is a demanding profession, and the summer break is a rare chance to reset. Use it. Resist the urge to check emails "just once a day". If your handover is solid, the office can manage without you.
Get outside, spend time with family and friends, and do the things that remind you there is life beyond billable hours. The break is also a natural moment to take stock of the year: the work, your review, your colleagues and whether you see yourself staying. We set out some questions to ask yourself in How To Reflect On Your Legal Job. Lawyers who return rested make better decisions and better colleagues.
The Christmas rush is inevitable, but the stress does not have to be. Plan early, communicate clearly, look after your team, and give yourself permission to rest. January will arrive soon enough.
If this time of year has you thinking about your next step, Chisholm Clarke can help you turn that thinking into a realistic plan, with honest, market-specific advice on firms across New Zealand and overseas. Reach out to Sam today for a confidential discussion.
Sam - 027 5665 707 or sam@chisholmclarke.co.nz
