News Post

The following submission was requested by the Alabama State Bar’s Quality of Life, Health, and Wellness Committee and is intended to assist lawyers in improving the quality of legal services and improving the educational and ethical standing of the bar §34-3-43(a)(7)). Views and conclusions expressed in submitted articles are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the employees of the Alabama State Bar, officers of the Alabama State Bar, or members of the Board of Bar Commissioners.

By: Kaasha Griffin

Summer in Alabama brings longer days, family vacations, and a desire to enjoy the outdoors. For lawyers, this season also presents the challenge of balancing personal time with professional obligations. Effective time management and prioritization are essential to maintain high-quality service to clients and the courts while enjoying well-deserved personal activities.

Understanding the Legal Landscape in Alabama

According to the 2023-2024 Annual Report from the Alabama State Bar, there are 19,231 Active members of the bar.  Based upon historical data reviewed for this article, the majority of Alabama lawyers operate in solo or small firm settings.  An economic survey by the Alabama State Bar in 2017 showed that 41.5% of respondents were solo practitioners and 20.8% worked in firms with 2-5 lawyers, while only 11.5% practiced in firms with more than 100 lawyers.

These smaller practice settings often mean lawyers juggle multiple roles, from client consultations to administrative tasks.  Without large support teams, effective time management becomes even more critical.  But solo and small firm lawyers are not the only ones impacted by factors of size and resources.  Even in a large team setting, an absence may mean a gap in an important function or task.  This could lead to delays in the overall team’s production and decreased team morale.

Navigating Court Schedules/Trial Preparation

Alabama’s federal and state courts maintain regular trial dockets throughout the year.  For instance, the Middle District of Alabama maintains posted civil and criminal trial term schedules which are posted two years in advance.  In reviewing the 2025 civil trial term calendar, there are 12 summer-month trial dates between the district and magistrate judges in the Middle District.  For Alabama lawyers with a federal court practice, this could mean some skillful planning in scheduling that summer holiday travel in conjunction with trial prep.

Strategies for Effective Time Management

1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify urgent and important tasks daily. Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s important, ensuring critical tasks receive attention.
2. Set Boundaries: Allocate specific times for work and personal activities. Communicate availability to clients and colleagues to manage expectations.
3. Leverage Technology: Utilize legal practice management software to streamline tasks, schedule reminders, and manage documents efficiently.  The Alabama State Bar has some great benefits for Alabama lawyers offered for a free or discounted rate to help with this!
4. Delegate When Possible: Even in small firms, delegating tasks to paralegals or administrative staff can free up time for attorneys to focus on more complex matters and see their way to the finish line (or the start of an “Out of Office” email).

Conclusion

Our bar is filled with highly skilled and experienced lawyers who dedicate their careers to serving their clients and building strong relationships with their colleagues and peers.  But it is also just as important to rest, recharge and enjoy the beautiful beaches and outdoor environments that we are lucky to have here in Alabama – even if we have to harness some of those skills to plan it.