Pause With Purpose: Chris Achatz’s Sabbatical Spotlight

During most of June and July, I had the privilege of stepping away from my daily practice for a two-month sabbatical—an opportunity I am deeply grateful for that demonstrates and supports our firm’s values in action.

Finding Well-Being and Balance in the Legal World

As we state in our firm values, “We believe that long-term success and excellent client service are achieved when everyone is supported to live a full life inside and outside of work.” A lot of firms give this lip service, but KO’s long history of sabbaticals is evidence that we live this value. Taking intentional time away from the office is more than just a pause; it’s a chance to reset, gain perspective, and reconnect with what matters most. For me, that meant spending meaningful, unhurried time with family and friends—time that doesn’t exist in short bursts between meetings or deadlines. Being present, without distractions, creates deeper connections, reminds us why we chose this profession, and restores the balance that fuels both our personal lives and professional passion. As attorneys, we often operate at full speed, but a sabbatical reminds us that stepping back can sharpen our thinking, expand our creativity, and deepen our commitment to the work we do.

Sabbatical Highlight Reel

After 7 years with the firm, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to take two months off and packed in as much travel and quality time as I could! I kicked my sabbatical off with a backpacking trip to Conundrum Hot Springs near Aspen for a few days of relaxation in the wilderness. From there, my family and close friends traveled to Europe. Our first stop was the Loire Valley of France to visit several historic chateaus, followed by a stay in the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, and then off to San Sebastian for pintxos. From there we went to Paris, where we enjoyed kid-friendly adventures like a macaron-making class, a visit to the Louvre, and boating along the Seine.

I then went onto Chamonix to start a multi-day hiking trip around Mont Blanc that took me through areas of the French, Italian, and Swiss alps. After that I flew to Scotland to meet my brother and a group of friends for a week of golfing and touring the Scottish Highlands. Back home in Colorado, I was grateful for more family time and did some hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and a family trip to a resort on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs.

Keys to a Successful Sabbatical

Beyond the travel and time off, at the heart of any successful sabbatical are great clients. We’re fortunate to partner with exceptional companies who trust us to be their long-term legal and business advisors. Because of the strong relationships we’ve built over time, clients are confident turning to other team members while their primary contact is away. Their support made my time off not only possible but truly meaningful, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust they place in us.

Together We Thrive

At KO, we strive to build a culture of trust and mutual support—one where no one faces challenges alone. By working together, we accomplish more than we could individually. We care about one another and celebrate each other’s successes, both inside and outside of work. For my sabbatical, my team embodied this value by stepping in and seamlessly covering my client relationships and day-to-day work while I was away. With thoughtful advance planning, I knew client needs would be fully supported. Throughout my time off, I had complete confidence that our team was well-prepared to deliver the legal services our clients expect.

How Paid Sabbaticals Work in the Legal Industry

So how does this sabbatical benefit work in reality? Our Denver- and Boulder-based firm provides significant benefits and perks for employees and shareholders, including a two-month paid sabbatical available to anyone who’s been with the firm for at least seven years (and every seven years thereafter). According to the Society for Human Resource Management, only 6% of companies offer paid sabbaticals. Numerous KO team members across a variety of roles—partners, attorneys, paralegals, and operations staff—have taken advantage of this benefit in recent years, and several have upcoming sabbaticals planned.

Coming Back Refreshed and Recharged

I’m incredibly appreciative to my colleagues, clients, and firm for making this possible and for supporting the idea that investing in an attorney’s personal ambitions outside of work ultimately strengthens the attorney’s ability to serve others through legal practice.  This experience reaffirmed for me that sustainability, or work/life balance, in our profession isn’t just about working harder or working less, it’s about creating space to reflect, learn, and come back stronger.