Unplugging

The American Bar Association recently suggested that firms give their associates “billable hour credits.” These credits could be used like paid time off, allowing the associate to unplug without sacrificing their billable hours. We applaud them for taking the first step, but there is more that needs to be done.

One problem with the ABA proposal is that it feeds into the billable hour demands that create stress among many associates. Rather than capping the amount of billable hours expected of associates, the ABA’s approach will still lead to long days and unnecessary mental health stressors. There are better ways.

Another problem is they only suggest 40 hours of billable hours credits, which would be just one week of time in a normal job, but which is likely even less than a week for many lawyers.

However, the underlying messaging is important. It will advance the conversation surrounding mental health in the legal profession. It will also hopefully encourage associates to take more time for themselves, which is very important. Unplugging is a crucial part of self-care for many, and it is something attorneys need just as much as anyone else.

And if you need more suggestions on how to unplug, feel free to email us at info@thelegalmindsociety.org.