Question for law firm partners/those with clients of their own

Becky19

 I am a mid-level associate at a law firm with several of my own clients (who I brought in entirely on my own) and I am trying to figure out what if anything I should say to them regarding my upcoming maternity leave. I am the only associate in my office so there is no one to take over and quite frankly I wouldn't want anyone else to take over because I don't want to lose the client! To that end, I plan on working to the extent I am able while on leave.

So for partners and/or folks with your own clients where you couldn't just take off for the time you were on leave, what did you tell your clients so they understand you may not be as immediately available while on leave but that you still wanted them to contact you while you were out? Nothing at all? Something like "Just so you know, I am expecting a baby on xxx, but I have childcare help while on leave and plan on being available so please don't hesitate to contact me at any time and either I or someone in my office will help you out?" Any advice would be wonderful, thank you.

GypsyEsq

I have a couple of clients of my own - I'm an associate also - and for them I've already told them about my pregnancy and my impending leave because of the likelihood that I'll go out even earlier than my due date and stay out longer due to multiples and pregnancy complications I've already experienced.  I think it's a tough conversation to have because frankly most of them don't care, even if they like you personally the reality is that if they have a legal emergency while you're out and you can't handle it they will probably go elsewhere.  But, that aside, it's a good idea to prep them to the idea that very shortly you'll be out of the office. 

I also have a letter prepped that my assistant will send out under her signature alerting my clients that I either have delivered or I am out on bedrest/medical leave.  Separately, I will be available for responding to emails but it will be on a very delayed basis.  Of my own clients I have one or two matters that are likely to continue while I'm on leave, I can't put them on hiatus for the months I'll be out so I have worked with other attorneys in the firm to make sure they can take over -- but where I can I've negotiated continuances with opposing counsel.  HTH.

jess9802

I'm also an associate but a large percentage of my clients are mine (I'm considered the source/responsible attorney within the firm). I am not planning on nor do I want to be available to clients while I am on leave. I am taking eight weeks, and I'm not shorting myself or my baby of that time by trying to work. I have been telling clients for a couple of months now that I will be going on maternity leave this summer. I've told them that I will be briefing another partner and my legal assistant on all files prior to my leave, and that if something comes up while I'm out, they will be well taken care of. My experience is that clients want to know that someone will take care of them, and it doesn't matter as much who it is so long as the work is done quickly and competently. I have yet to come across one client who seems at all resentful or irritated by this plan, and most have seemed genuinely happy for me.