Even Lawyers Need A Break: How Sole Practitioners Can Step Away Without Stress

Why taking a break isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity

Ask any sole practitioner across Australia when they last took a proper holiday, and the answer is often the same: A pause? I can’t afford to stop.

That mindset is understandable. Sole practitioners carry enormous responsibility — balancing client needs, trust obligations, administrative demands, and the ever-present pressure to maintain continuity. The idea of taking time away can feel risky, even irresponsible. But here’s the truth: not taking a break can be far more damaging — to you, your clients, and your practice.

The legal profession in Australia is renowned for its rigour. Yet behind the professionalism lies a growing challenge: fatigue, burnout, and stress.

But there’s another way.

With platforms like aLocum, taking leave no longer has to mean leaving your clients unsupported. It means you can rest, recharge, and return — without losing momentum.

The pressure of practising alone

Running a solo practice is deeply rewarding. You build close client relationships, have total control over your work, and create something that’s entirely your own. But it also means that everything depends on you — from advice to billing to business development.

When you step away, the work doesn’t stop. Emails still arrive. Deadlines still loom. Matters still need managing.

This creates what many sole practitioners describe as “quiet anxiety” — the sense that if they take a break, the entire practice will unravel. That fear often keeps lawyers chained to their desks long after they need rest, convincing themselves they’ll “take a break later.”

But later rarely comes.

The cost of never switching off

In the short term, pushing through feels productive. In the long term, it’s unsustainable.

Chronic overwork leads to decision fatigue, slower response times, and reduced focus. For lawyers, where precision and judgement are everything, that’s dangerous territory. It also creates ripple effects — exhaustion spreads into personal life, health suffers, and eventually, so does client service.

Many sole practitioners report feeling constantly “on call.” Without someone to delegate to, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that your worth is measured by your availability.

But clients don’t necessarily expect perfection — they expect reliability. And that’s exactly what a well-supported locum arrangement provides.

Rest is not a weakness — it’s strategic

The idea that taking time off is unprofessional is an outdated relic of the old legal culture. Modern practitioners are beginning to see rest as part of good practice management — a deliberate, strategic choice that preserves both wellbeing and business health.

Just as clients rely on you for expertise, your practice relies on you for stability. To provide that, you need to protect your most valuable asset — yourself.

Taking a break is not an indulgence. It’s risk management.

When you return refreshed, you’re sharper, more creative, and better able to make decisions that move your practice forward. Your clients benefit, too — they get your best thinking, not your exhausted reflexes.

The challenge of continuity

The real fear isn’t about rest — it’s about continuity. How do you keep your practice running while you’re away?

That’s where aLocum steps in.

aLocum connects sole practitioners with qualified, experienced locum lawyers who can step in to manage client matters, maintain deadlines, and keep communication seamless.

These aren’t “temps” or junior stand-ins — they’re practitioners who understand the standards, confidentiality, and professionalism required in legal practice.

This continuity means your clients are cared for, your matters progress, and your reputation remains intact — even when you’re not in the office.

How to plan a break — the smart way

Planning time off doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right structure, you can ensure your practice runs smoothly while you’re away.

1. Identify what needs coverage

Review your matters and deadlines. Which cases will need active management during your absence? Which can pause or be completed before you leave?

2. Communicate with clients

Transparency builds trust. Let clients know when you’ll be away, introduce them to the locum covering your matters, and reassure them of continuity.

3. Partner with the right locum

Work with experienced locum lawyers through trusted networks like aLocum. They understand the nuances of professional responsibility, client care, and communication protocols.

4. Delegate with clarity

Provide clear instructions, access to relevant files, and expectations. A good locum integrates seamlessly when they have context and clarity.

5. Actually switch off

Once you’re away, be away. Trust the process you’ve put in place. Stepping back completely allows you to recharge fully.

Why stepping away makes you a better lawyer

When you allow yourself the time to rest, you don’t just protect your health — you enhance your professional performance.

A rested mind notices details more easily. It communicates more clearly. It negotiates with empathy and insight. These qualities can’t thrive in an environment of constant pressure.

Taking time off also fosters creativity. Many practitioners report that their best ideas — whether about client strategies or practice development — come after time away from the desk.

This isn’t coincidence; it’s cognitive recovery in action. Rest allows your mind to reset, creating space for perspective and innovation.

Breaking the stigma around taking leave

One of the biggest barriers for sole practitioners is perception — the fear that taking time off might make them seem less dedicated or reliable.

That perception is shifting.

In the post-pandemic era, clients have seen that flexibility and professionalism are not opposites. In fact, practices that operate sustainably and communicate transparently are seen as more trustworthy.

By using locum support, you’re demonstrating responsibility — ensuring that clients are cared for and matters are managed properly. It’s not stepping away from responsibility; it’s stepping into it in a modern, intelligent way.

A healthier profession benefits everyone

When sole practitioners look after themselves, the benefits ripple outward.

• Clients get consistent service and a lawyer who’s focused and present.

• The profession gains longevity — fewer lawyers leaving due to burnout or stress.

• The community benefits from better, more balanced legal professionals.

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The idea that the only path to success is relentless work is fading fast. Balance isn’t just personal — it’s professional integrity in action.

How aLocum fits in

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to take a break — it’s to make taking a break normal.

aLocum helps make that possible by connecting sole practitioners with trusted locum lawyers who can seamlessly manage ongoing matters. Whether it’s a few days, a few weeks, or several months, you can step away knowing your clients are supported.

It’s not a replacement for your practice — it’s reinforcement for it.

You’ve built your reputation through dedication and care. aLocum ensures that same dedication continues, even when you take the time to rest.

Final thoughts

The most successful lawyers aren’t the ones who never stop — they’re the ones who know when to stop, and how to do it responsibly.

Taking time off is not the opposite of commitment. It’s the foundation of it.

So if you’re a sole practitioner thinking, “I’ll rest when I have time,” — the truth is, time won’t appear on its own. You have to make it.

And now, with the support of aLocum, you can.

⚖️ You’ve earned the right to rest — and we’re here to make it possible.