For new and young lawyers, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can feel like an impossible dream.
To help lawyers discover ways to achieve this, the Journal of The Missouri Bar sought advice from members of the bar’s 2024-25 Leadership Academy class, a group of select new and young lawyers who have shown leadership qualities in their communities.
These emerging legal professionals shared their perspectives on the importance of work-life balance and the strategies that have helped them find harmony between the demands of the profession and their overall well-being.
__________
Kelly “Koki” Sabatés,
Lawyer at DeVaughn James, Overland Park
“To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I’ve set clear boundaries, prioritized spending time with people outside of the legal profession, and have incorporated yoga into my life. When I work hybrid or take home work, I have a dedicated workspace that I only use for work-related tasks. I avoid working on my couch, living room, or in bed because those are my designated relaxation and rejuvenation spaces. If I associate work with these areas, I never truly get a chance to unwind.
“Additionally, I make an effort to maintain relationships with individuals who are not lawyers. This helps me feel less inclined to discuss work-related matters with them.
“Finally, I’ve dedicated time to practicing yoga which has truly brought peace and balance into my life. Once you make a commitment to be there in the studio and present on your mat, it does help melt away a lot of the stressors from your day.”
Brittany Chapman
Managing attorney with the administrative hearings unit, Missouri Department of Social Services / Division of Legal Services, St. Louis
“Maintaining work-life balance … is vital for ensuring that we, as attorneys and professionals, can provide the best service to those we serve. Through trial and error, I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t optional – it’s necessary. By allowing myself the space to rest and recharge, I’m able to show up as my best self, both professionally and personally. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and taking the time to rest and recover helps us stay stable, functional, and effective in our roles.”
Holly Weiss
Assistant general counsel and policy director at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg
“I think, in general, work-life balance can be difficult because often everything in the legal practice feels like an emergency or a ‘needs done now task.’ That’s why I like using lists and tasks to keep me on track. I can get caught up in the sense of urgency and then any work-life balance goes out the window. So, just taking a breath, pulling up my calendar, setting the deadline, and working backwards with tasks and setting realistic timelines helps remind me that the problem, task, or request is not an emergency (maybe sometimes it is, but often even tight deadlines aren’t emergencies).
“This is all a constant practice though. I was reminded this week that I did not need to pick up my pace because opposing counsel created a sense of urgency. So, I took a moment to just sit with it, came back, and proceeded to implement my process (the list, time allotments, and task completion). That was yesterday. Today, I am no longer feeling the need to work this weekend. Hooray!”
Sean P. Connelly
Assistant state public defender, St. Louis
“I think work-life balance is hard and almost impossible in this profession. It should be less of a balance and more of a full thing for each. When you are at work, you are at work. When you are at home, be home. Be present with your loved ones, friends, kids, etc. Leaving the laptop at the office will not change anything because I guarantee that problem will still be there in the morning … If you do not take time for yourself to do something you like, then you will burn out.”
Bethany Allen
Risk management counsel at Thompson Coburn LLP, St. Louis
“From a legal professional’s perspective, maintaining balance often starts with organization. Planning ahead can go a long way, especially with deadlines or end-of-year obligations. Communicating your availability early on helps set expectations with colleagues and clients. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid to actually unplug when you’re off – it’s okay to step away, recharge, and come back strong!”
Courtney Klaus
Commercial litigation lawyer at Polsinelli, Overland Park
“I find compartmentalizing keeps me from feeling overwhelmed at work. I keep two phones – one for personal use and one for work. My phone for work has no apps aside from strictly necessary ones, and I use it for all my work email and phone calls. Keeping my work communications separate from my personal phone with all my leisurely apps and personal communications keeps me better organized and clear-headed.”
__________
What is Leadership Academy?
The Missouri Bar Leadership Academy program was created in 2000 to encourage diversity among the bar’s leadership by recruiting young lawyers – those recently admitted to the bar under the age of 40 or those admitted for 10 years or fewer – who have already shown leadership qualities within their communities. Each class contains about a dozen lawyers who are diverse in terms of sex, race, ethnicity, practice area, and geography.
Leadership Academy classes participate in The Missouri Bar’s Annual Meeting, Board of Governors and committee meetings, and workshops designed to help the class learn more about the bar, develop leadership skills, and complete a service project. At the end of the year, class members commit to serve the bar in an active capacity for two years, such as serving on the Young Lawyers’ Section Council or a committee or presenting continuing legal education programs.
Since its inception, nearly 300 lawyers have participated in The Missouri Bar’s Leadership Academy.
To learn more about Leadership Academy or nominate a lawyer for the program, contact Dr. Anthony Simones at tsimones@mobar.org.