Voluntary Closing
Retirement Planning for Georgia Lawyers
“Retirement Planning for Georgia Lawyers” outlines the steps a lawyer must take to protect his or her clients while winding down their own firm. It includes forms and suggested procedures meant to assist in accomplishing a smooth and efficient transition that meets a lawyer’s ethical obligations. If you are closing your own practice due to retirement, a job transition, personal leave or selling a practice this guide is for you.
Retirement Planning Resources
If you are nearing retirement, or already there, a level of uncertainty can set in when thinking about what resources are available and how to access them. As a member benefit service, the Law Practice Management Program has compiled a list of comprehensive succession planning materials that can be checked out from the resource library as well as links to other websites to help you plan and prepare for this important phase of your life.
- Wrap Up Your Practice Before Retirement
- Retirement Planning Materials from the LPM Resource Library
- Additional Retirement Planning Resources
The State Bar is also concerned with its members’ health and wellness needs, and offers a wide range of benefits and discounts that can save you time, money and effort. Explore what’s available on the Member Benefits & Discounts page.
Closing a Law Practice Forms
Planning is essential. Closing a law practice requires preparation, organization and time. The forms and checklists included in the Closing Your Own Law Practice section of the guide will keep you on track and organized with the business and ethics side of winding down your law practice.
Client Notification and File Retention Forms
Active clients need to be notified by letter about the close of the law practice to protect both the client and the lawyer. You also need to be sure that you are in compliance with the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct when considering the retention and destruction of client files. The guide contains sample letters, forms and policies that are available for your use.
Counsel Withdrawal and Substitution Forms
There are various reasons attorneys withdraw from representation of clients, as well as circumstances in which a client may choose to fire the attorney. If either of these situations should arise, there are processes and procedures that need to be followed. The withdrawal and substitution forms referenced in the guide protect the interest of the attorney and client. Use these sample forms to provide formal notice to your clients and the courts to affirm procedural safeguards and notifications met in the motion.