Summer brings the perfect opportunity to enjoy well-earned time away from your desk. However, for busy legal professionals, preparing for vacation and reduced summer hours requires intention and thoughtful planning. Your clients depend on your reliability. That doesn’t mean your team can’t unplug and truly enjoy those sunny days.

Here are five practical ways to prepare your firm for summer break and enjoy peace of mind while stepping away from the office.

Five Steps for a Seamless Summer Break

1. Communicate Summer Closures and Hours

Start by setting clear expectations with your clients. Proactive, honest communication about your summer office hours and vacation plans reassures clients that they remain a priority – even when your doors close early or your team is away.

  • Send a personalized message to every client highlighting changes to office hours and your team’s availability.
  • Use this update to check in on their needs, wish them a great summer, and provide a brief case update.
  • When clients know what to expect, they’re less likely to be frustrated and more likely to trust in your ongoing commitment.

2. Empower Your Support Team

Legal work doesn’t pause for summer schedules. The right support partner ensures business continuity while letting your internal team recharge.

  • Discuss your summer schedule in advance with your answering service, marketing agency, or legal service providers.
  • Work together to tailor a plan that meets your firm’s specific seasonal needs.
  • Choose a support team ready to adjust as your requirements change, maintaining consistency while your staff takes time off.

3. Perfect Your Summer Script With Dedicated Reception

Whether you rely on a year-round virtual receptionist or use one just for summer, update your answering script to reflect your summer schedule.

  • Create a summer-specific reception script that goes live as soon as your new hours start.
  • Include relevant details about early closures or vacation periods to ensure every caller receives a warm and accurate welcome.
  • Customize your script to keep callers informed and cared for, even when you’re away.

4. Offer Consultation Slots and Online Booking

Every call counts, especially during summer when urgency can be high. Make it simple for qualified leads and anxious clients to reserve time with you – even if it’s after your return.

  • Provide your answering service access to a real-time consultation calendar reflecting summer availability.
  • Remove slots for days your office is closed and offer upcoming openings as an alternative to waiting for a callback.
  • Accept payments for paid consultations to limit no-shows and maximize billable hours.
  • Return to a calendar filled with new consultations, ready for you to take action.

5. Set Up for an Easy Return

Stepping back into work after vacation shouldn’t be overwhelming. Set yourself up to hit the ground running by integrating your systems.

  • Use a legal CRM integrated with your answering service for seamless contact management.
  • Ensure every new lead, case update, and caller interaction is organized, logged, and ready for follow-up.
  • With the right setup, your first day back is focused on client work—not administrative catch-up.

Enjoy Your Summer With Complete Client Coverage

Summer should be spent recharging – not fielding client calls or worrying about missed opportunities. With reliable systems in place, your firm’s calls are answered 24/7, consultations are scheduled, and every client feels supported.

Relax, recharge, and return to work ready to make every minute count.