Whenever I go away, whether for vacation, conference, trial or otherwise, I make certain that all my cases are fully covered and that my clients know that I will not be at the other end of the phone whenever they call.  It has to be or I would never be able to get away.

So naturally, with minutes of leaving the country, catastrophe strikes at least half of them, demanding my immediate attention. Not quite real catastrophe, but client catastrophe, meaning that they desperately need to ask me a question which is life or death to them at that moment.  Most of the questions require an answer like, “no, it doesn’t mean anything,” after which they sigh and say “sorry to bother you.”

But it’s not my perception of the question, but theirs, that matters.  If it’s critical to my clients, then it’s critical.  And because I’m out of reach, critical questions necessarily arise.  Managing them is all in the preparation.  The preparation is having other lawyers upon whom you can depend available to help you when catastrophes arise. 

This requires two things: First, having lawyers you trust to handle your client emergencies.  Second, having lawyers you trust willing to help you out.  The first is a matter of honest assessment, finding people in whose care you would entrust the people who have put their trust in you.  The second is a matter of mutual survival and generosity.  I take care of them whenever they need my help, and they are there for me when I need theirs.  We are all better off for our support and cooperation.  And we provide each other with a support system that allows us to do things that solos could never otherwise do. 

My phone has been ringing nonstop since I’ve left the United States.  What a surprise.  Usually, the minute I hop on a plane is when a huge new case comes in.  This has become such a cliché that whenever business gets slow, I immediately leave the country to get something new and great.  It always works.  It has yet to happen this trip, but I still have plenty of time and no doubt it will.  Good things always happen at the worst possible times.

When the call comes in, however, I take comfort in knowing that my friends will help me out, cover me, deal with the emergency and make sure it’s there for me when I return.  It’s good to have friends.  It’s better to have friends you can trust to take care of your practice when you’re away.