“I Don’t have Time to Plan a Sabbatical!” – How Law Firm Partners can actually use their Sabbatical Entitlement.

When there’s barely time to take a lunch break, the idea of disappearing for several weeks — let alone months — can feel daunting. Even with formal entitlement to a sabbatical, the pressure of both casework, the planning of the trip and personal life can make significant time off feel impractical.

However, managed with enough time in advance, and using a professional sabbatical designer to translate desires into a detailed itineraries, a sabbatical becomes a very real option.

How Law Firm Partners can plan a Sabbatical:  

Break down planning into these three areas:

Professional

Work rarely pauses, but viewed in the context of a 40+ year career, a few months away is a mere blip. With sufficient notice, handovers can be thorough, clients taken care of, and continuity ensured. Consider when a natural lull might occur in your caseload, or where others in your team might step in. Have open conversations early with your colleagues about timings and coverage.

It’s also worth reviewing your firm’s sabbatical policy and discussing terms with HR—particularly around your return. Most firms will expect a minimum period of continued service upon return, so it helps to set mutual expectations about clients, caseload, and reintegration.

Personal

The home logistics may look intimidating, but they’re more manageable than they appear—especially with time. For those with a working partner, early conversations can identify a window that works for both. Many of our clients with children use the longer summer holiday as a natural departure point, adding time either side to extend the trip. Schools, in our experience, are more open than expected—some even waive fees for a term out.

When travelling long-term with children, some families bring a tutor or follow online courses. Many find the lived experience of travel itself to be deeply educational. In fact, families frequently report that the children gained more—academically and personally—than they might have in a classroom.

Other practicalities—from house-sitting and pet care to banking, vaccinations, insurance, address notification, e-sims, banking, passports validity, and visas—can all be tackled step by step. And by working with a trusted travel adviser, they can help guide you through each element of the checklist at the right time so you’re never in a scramble.

Planning the trip

The only thing you truly need is intent. Whether you’re chasing a particular experience, want to explore a region of the world, or simply feel drawn towards something different, you don’t need a fully formed plan. That’s where expert help comes in.

At LiNGER, we begin every sabbatical conversation with maps on the table and an open mind. Through in-depth consultation, we get to know your interests, pace, and preferences, and build a completely bespoke itinerary. It’s not unusual for the original vision to evolve as we uncover hidden passions and unexpected possibilities. These are journeys that are highly personal, and designed to be transformative.

We specialise in long-form travel, and understand the rhythm and complexity that comes with planning trips of this nature. From seamless logistics to trusted guides, the right pace, the right accommodation, and the right level of immersion, every element is considered. Our team knows each destination first-hand, and that depth of knowledge is reflected in the quality of every journey we create.

See our blog series on Sabbaticals for Lawyers:

• How to take a sabbatical – should America follow Europe’s example?
• “I don’t have time to take a sabbatical!”- How law firm partners CAN.