closing - Texas Bar Practice

What To Do When Your Boss or Relative is No Longer Able to Practice Law

What To Do When Your Boss or Relative Is No Longer Able to Practice LawA Checklist for Staff and Family Members When an attorney is, with or without warning, unable to practice law and is a sole practitioner, what to do with the attorney’s law practice can be bewildering to the attorney’s staff, if there is any staff, and devastating to the family. This checklist is intended as a guideline to help the incapacitated or deceased attorney’s staff and/or family to close down the attorney’s practice. First, remember that although it may seem an impossible task to close down an attorney’s office, it has been done by others, including those without any legal experience, and it can be done by you. For remaining staff, if there it is any way you can afford it, please consider staying around to help close down the practice. Some staff might agree to help close the practice while looking for another job, helping out a few hours here and there. The family will be very grateful. For the family member left with the attorney’s practice, try to get the attorney’s staff to stay with you for at least a month to help close down …

closing - Texas Bar Practice

A Letter to Texas Attorneys Closing a Practice

A Letter to Texas Attorneys Closing a Practice Dear Texas Attorneys, Judges, Attorney Relatives and Staff, and Members of the Public: Law practices are not immune from the unfortunate and unexpected events and accidents which occur in everyday life. An attorney’s illness, incapacity, or even suspension due to misconduct, can result in the temporary or permanent closure of a practice. Although difficult to contemplate, having a contingency plan in place is part of being a good lawyer and will help to 1) fulfill ethical duties towards clients, 2) save Judges, relatives, colleagues and attorney staff from some of the difficulties of a temporary or permanent closing of a law practice, 3) facilitate obtaining new counsel, and 4) reduce potential misconduct and/or malpractice claims. The following materials are provided to 1) help Texas Attorneys plan and prepare for events that could render them unable to practice law, and 2) help Texas Judges, members of the public, as well as relatives, colleagues and staff of attorneys, with the closure of an attorney’s practice and finding new counsel, if necessary. Included are resources, as well as sample checklists, court documents and correspondence. How to Protect Your Clients and Your Firm in the Event …