As we’ve discussed in previous episodes and articles, COVID-19 has prompted law firms to reassess their business continuity plans with many lawyers facing challenges that will permanently impact their careers. While some are going solo, others have opted for retirement. 

In this episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt talk with The Bar’s own Jessica Malloy, Nathan McClure, and Jonathan Grabb to discuss the rules, processes, and best practices lawyers should consider when closing a firm, electing inactive membership status, or formally electing to retire from The Florida Bar. 

Jessica Malloy is the manager of the Membership Records Department at The Florida Bar.

Nathan McClure is a specialist for the Membership Records Department at The Florida Bar.

Jonathan Grabb is Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Ethics and Advertising Department at The Florida Bar.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1 hour of General CLE Credit and 1 hour of Ethics Credit. Course #4053.

REFERENCED RETIREMENT RESOURCES:

Membership Records

• Membership Records Forms – incl. Petition for Retirement, Petition for Removal of Retirement Status, Petition for Removal of Inactive Status, etc. 
• Contact: 850.561.5832 or membershiprecords@floridabar.org 

Ethics

• Ethics Informational Packets – incl. Notifying Clients of Change in Firm Composition, Of Counsel, Closed Files, etc.
• Rules Regulating The Florida Bar
• Ethics Hotline: 800.235.8619

LegalFuel

• Checklist for Lawyer Retirement, Law Office Closure, or Law Firm Dissolution
• CLE Podcast: Can I Afford to Retire?
• Document Library: Lawyer Changing Firms