Return From Leave, Reimagined :: How SGI Helps Lawyers Come Back Strong

Part 2 of a 2-Blog Series

By Kelly Margani

In Part One of this series, Kelly Caldwell named something we don’t talk about enough: returning to practice after parental leave isn’t just a logistical shift—it’s a deeply personal one that can have profound professional ramifications.

You’re not just managing your time differently. You’re managing a new version of yourself, with new needs, new insights, and likely even a new sense of what really matters both at home and at work.

At SGI, we’ve built a coaching program specifically designed to support that transition—from start to finish.

The Challenge :: Returning Into Systems That Haven’t Changed

Too often, lawyers return from leave into a workplace that expects them to be exactly who they were before—just with a bit less sleep. But time away can be clarifying. You might come back to your practice questioning priorities, renegotiating roles, or rethinking what success looks like.

And yet, many firms don’t have a structure in place to support that kind of evolution.

That’s why we created the Return From Leave coaching program. It doesn’t just support your re-entry. It supports your entire journey—before, during, and after leave.

The Solution :: A Return From Leave Framework for a Sustainable Comeback

SGI’s Return From Leave program is a one-on-one coaching experience designed for lawyers taking any type of planned leave—parental, medical, or otherwise. It helps you navigate the full arc of the experience with clarity, confidence, and connection.

The program unfolds in three distinct phases—each tailored to meet you where you are:

Phase I :: Preparing for Leave

You don’t have to disappear to disconnect. This phase helps you step away from your practice with intention and professionalism, ensuring continuity for your clients and your team, and peace of mind for you.

We’ll help you:

• Clarify what “success” looks like during your absence

• Communicate expectations clearly to clients and colleagues

• Set boundaries that support your transition and wellbeing

Phase II: Preparing to Return

As your leave winds down, this phase creates space to reflect on what’s changed—and how to bring your whole self back into your practice.

We’ll help you:

• Get clear on new goals, values, and non-negotiables

• Rebuild professional confidence and reconnect with your purpose

• Strategize for conversations with sponsors, team members, and clients

Phase III: Establishing the New Normal

Coming back isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. This phase helps you design a sustainable rhythm that honours both your professional goals and personal reality.

We’ll help you:

• Design your weeks around capacity and impact—not just availability

• Align your workload with your evolving values and strengths

• Build habits that support long-term growth and fulfillment

The Method Behind It: Know :: Be :: Do ::

At every stage, the program is anchored in SGI’s Know :: Be :: Do :: methodology.

• KNOW what’s changed—internally and externally—and where you want to go.

• BE the kind of leader, parent, and professional who can thrive in this new season.

• DO what it takes to move forward—with support, strategy, and sustainability.

This Isn’t Just Coaching. It’s Reboarding With Intention.

Firms often focus on the logistics of leave—coverage, timelines, file transfers. At SGI, we focus on the person behind the role.

Because when lawyers feel supported as whole people, they don’t just return—they rise.

When a firm invests in the Return From Leave program, it’s saying:

“We don’t just want you back—we want you back whole.”

And that’s a game-changer.

Ready to return with clarity and confidence?

Let’s talk about how SGI’s Return From Leave program can support you—or your team—in designing a comeback that actually works.

Let's Talk About Your Return From Leave