Welcome > ADMA > Your Enquiry > Managing Your Practice > I need to take a leave of absence from my practice. What should I do?
The following are resources that may be helpful in answering your enquiry. Please familiarize yourself with them before moving on.
In brief: Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes taking time away from your practice is necessary. Planning for an absence is essential, but if you need to step away unexpectedly and find yourself without coverage, there are steps you can take to ensure that your ethical requirements are upheld and your clients’ interests are preserved.
As always, don’t hesitate to call a Practice Advisor. They can help you identify issues, talk through next steps and provide a listening ear. Except in cases of trust fund shortages, your conversations with Practice Advice will remain confidential. Follow the link below to schedule an appointment.
Check out the locum registry. A locum is a lawyer who stands in for you (the “lawyer/client”) to cover and run your practice, either for a specified period of time or some other arrangement, while you are away on vacation or sick-leave. Locums can be a viable option if you want to get away from the office and don’t have partners available to cover your workload.
Follow this link to learn more about the locum registry.
Create a succession plan. Lawyers owe a professional obligation to clients to plan for interruptions in your practice, whether due to unexpected emergencies or a planned retirement. Proper planning also provides further protection from the risk of an indemnity claim while you are unable to practise.
Follow this link to learn more about succession planning and practice coverage.
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to take care of your practice, contact the Law Society’s Custodianship department at Custodianship@lsbc.org for guidance and assistance to ensure a smooth transition during your absence. A custodian is a practising lawyer who will either manage or terminate the law practice, depending on specific circumstances.
Making the decision to step away from your practice, even temporarily, can be a stressful process. It is important to make time to ensure your mental well-being as well as the maintenance of your practice. The Law Society funds access to several services to help support lawyers’ mental well-being.
Follow this link to check out the Lawyer Well-Being Hub.
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