Transitioning from the Practice of Law: Succession Planning

The following information and resources provided by the Senior Lawyers Transition Task Force were compiled to help you fulfill your ethical obligations to protect your clients’ interests in the event of your death, disability, impairment, or incapacity. Although it is hard to think about events that could render you unable to continue practicing law, freak accidents, an unexpected illness, and untimely death do occur. Following the suggestions made available via these resources will help to protect your clients’ interests and will help to make your practice a valuable asset to your estate. In addition, it will simplify the closure of your office – a step your family and colleagues will very much appreciate.

We sincerely hope these resources will be of assistance to you.

Senior Lawyers Transition Task Force Members

Acknowledgments & Reprint Permission

This handbook was adapted from the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund handbook Planning Ahead: A Guide to Protecting Your Clients’ Interests in the Event of Your Disability or Death, Copyright 2014. All rights are reserved except that members of the Idaho State Bar may use this material for assistance with their own law practice or help another attorney close his or her office. This material may also be reproduced for classroom instruction or for use by a not-for-profit organization, provided that such use is for information, non-commercial purposes. Any reproduction of the handbook or portion thereof acknowledges original publication of the handbook by the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund and must state the material was adapted with permission of the Oregon State Bar Professional Liability Fund.

Disclaimer

This handbook is designed to minimize the likelihood of you or your estate being sued for legal malpractice in the event of your death, impairment, or incapacity. The material presented does not establish, report, or create the standard of care for attorneys. The material is not a complete analysis of the topic and readers should conduct their own appropriate legal research.