Key Takeaways

  • Law firms may or may not close for federal holidays—there's no legal requirement for closure unless specified by state or contract.
  • State-recognized holidays vary, and some impose restrictions on work performed on those days.
  • Many private employers, including law firms, offer holiday time off but are not legally obligated to do so.
  • Certain firms, especially larger or more client-facing ones, maintain operations through holidays using 24/7 client intake systems or rotating staff.
  • Legal professionals—particularly junior associates—may be expected to work weekends or holidays in high-pressure environments.
  • Automation tools and virtual reception services are becoming more common in ensuring law firms remain "open" and responsive on holidays.

Legal Holidays

Legal holidays, also referred to as U.S. federal holidays or public holidays, are days set aside by the federal and state government to honor an event, historical figure, or religious holiday. There are 10 U.S. federal holidays every year, designed by the United States Congress. Unlike other countries, the U.S. cannot designate national holidays as Congress only has constitutional authority to create holidays for federal institutions. If an employee is required to work on any one of these holidays, he or she will generally receiver 1.5 times the pay they would normally receive.

The 10 annual legal holidays include:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Inauguration Day (January 20) – this is the 11th holiday designated every four years following a U.S. presidential election but is only observed by government employees in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (the third Monday in January)
  • George Washington’s Birthday (the third Monday in February)
  • Memorial Day (the last Monday in May)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (the first Monday in September)
  • Columbus Day (the second Monday in October
  • Veterans Day (November 11) – if this holiday falls on a Sunday, employees will generally have off the very next day.
  • Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

Remember that holidays falling on a Saturday are generally observed on the preceding Friday and holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.

State-Specific Holiday Observances

While the federal government only recognizes ten legal holidays, many states have additional holidays unique to their histories and cultures. For instance:

  • Alaska observes Alaska Day and Seward's Day, honoring its statehood and historical milestones.
  • Utah celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24.
  • Hawaii includes King Kamehameha Day and Prince Kuhio Day as state holidays.
  • Texas observes Confederate Heroes Day, while California includes Cesar Chavez Day.

These state-specific holidays may or may not affect law firm operations depending on the employer's policy and client demands. In some states, work restrictions apply, especially for retail and public-sector jobs, but private law practices generally have discretion.

Private Employers

Private employers are not required to provide any paid holidays off; therefore, a private employer can, in fact, require its employees to work on Christmas, New Year, or any other federal holiday at the same rate. Generally, however, most private employers do in fact provide such days off as most employees would choose not to work for a company who wouldn’t otherwise provide days off for legal holidays.

Are Law Firms Open on Holidays?

The question “are law firms open on holidays” depends on the firm's size, location, and clientele. Unlike government offices, law firms are not mandated to close on federal or state holidays unless otherwise stated in employment agreements or governed by local laws (e.g., Massachusetts Blue Laws).

Here’s how law firm practices vary:

  • Small or solo practices may close completely during major holidays.
  • Mid-sized and large firms often remain partially operational, especially if they serve corporate or emergency legal needs.
  • Personal injury and criminal defense firms, which handle urgent matters, are more likely to maintain 24/7 phone or online support, even on holidays.

Law firms that emphasize client service may utilize call forwarding, live virtual receptionists, or AI chatbots to ensure someone is available at all times.

Martin Luther King Day

This holiday is actually not recognized in every state; and in some of those states that do recognize it, employees are not paid for that day off. In Louisiana, this holiday is one of six holidays, taken together with Robert E. Lee day, wherein the two holidays are interchangeably recognized. Every year, the governor can declare either one an official state holiday. However, every two years, Martin Luther King Day must be recognized.

Conflicting Holiday Recognition in the Legal Sector

Some holidays, like Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Presidents' Day, may be inconsistently observed across jurisdictions. This discrepancy can affect whether a law firm remains open, particularly those with multi-state operations.

For example:

  • Southern states like Alabama and Mississippi combine MLK Day with Robert E. Lee Day, while others only honor one.
  • Florida and Georgia provide optional paid time off for holidays like Confederate Memorial Day or Good Friday, depending on the employer.

Law firms operating across several states often align holiday closures with client expectations or follow their corporate clients' schedules.

Massachusetts Legal Holidays

Massachusetts legal holidays are a bit unique as the state considers Patriots’ Day as a holiday. Furthermore, the state restricts certain work from being performed on certain holidays. For example, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas have certain restrictions while all other holidays have no such restrictions and companies operate business as usual.

Blue Laws and Restricted Business Activity

Massachusetts enforces Blue Laws that impact business operations, including law firms, on certain holidays. These laws restrict work or commercial activity on:

  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • Labor Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Columbus Day (before noon)

While these laws primarily target retail, some law firms may adjust hours or require special permits for holiday operations. Firms serving court-related or time-sensitive matters may remain open with limited staff.

Other Items to Keep in Mind

  • Federal offices only close on holidays that the federal government recognizes; therefore, exempt from this are state holidays observed.
  • Retail stores can remain open during summer holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. However, if the store has eight or more employees on the payroll during the week in which the holiday falls, all employees working on that day must be paid time and a half.
  • Retail establishments open on New Year’s Day, Columbus Day (after 12 p.m.), or on Veteran’s Day (after 1 p.m.) are required to pay employees time and a half.
  • If a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, employees are granted eight hours of floating time or can choose to take the preceding day off. The eight hours must be used by year-end and can be taken in increments.
  • There are additional requirements for employees to become eligible for paid legal holiday, including: [1] the employee must be eligible for sick leave; [2] be actively employed on the day the holiday falls; and [3] (a) be paid for the workday immediately before the legal holiday, (b) be paid for the first workday immediately after the legal holiday, (c) work on the holiday, or (d) have an approved military leave of absence.

Staying Open Through Tech: Virtual Services and 24/7 Intake

Even if law firm offices close physically on a holiday, many firms maintain a virtual presence through:

  • Automated chatbots that collect client information.
  • Call-answering services to schedule consultations.
  • Online intake forms with immediate follow-up options.
  • Remote teams working across time zones.

These tools allow firms to appear open even when staff is off-duty, ensuring clients are not lost due to unavailability during a critical moment.

For law firms seeking to remain competitive, especially in high-demand or emergency practice areas, maintaining round-the-clock communication—even on holidays—is becoming an industry standard.

Working Holidays in Law Firms: What to Expect

It is common in the legal profession—especially in large law firms—for associates and even partners to work during weekends and holidays. Reasons include:

  • Billable hour requirements that encourage constant availability.
  • High-stakes litigation or deal closings that cannot pause for holidays.
  • Firm culture that rewards dedication and sacrifices, particularly among junior staff.

Associates in demanding practice areas such as mergers & acquisitions, securities law, or criminal defense may find holidays to be peak times for workload, especially if court deadlines are near.

In contrast, government and in-house attorneys are more likely to benefit from standard holiday closures and predictable time off.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are law firms legally required to close on federal holidays? No. Law firms are private businesses and are not obligated to close for federal holidays unless specified in employee contracts or governed by state law.

2. Do law firm employees get paid extra for working on holidays? Not necessarily. Private employers, including law firms, are not required to pay premium rates for holiday work unless it's part of an agreement.

3. Are courts open on holidays? Most courts close on federal and state-recognized holidays, which can influence a law firm's operations depending on its caseload.

4. Can I reach a lawyer during a holiday? Yes, many firms offer 24/7 access through virtual assistants or rotating staff. Urgent legal needs can still be addressed even if the physical office is closed.

5. Do state holidays impact whether a law firm is open? It depends. If the law firm is located in a state observing a unique holiday (e.g., Alaska Day), it may close in alignment with local norms, though this is not mandatory.

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