1. Finalize as many files as possible: If you have a target closing date, work toward closing as many files as possible. If you do not have a target date, establish a backup plan of having someone who can help transition files in the event of a sudden disability or illness. With or without a target closing date, keep files up to date, including client contacts, correspondence and pleadings.
   
   
2. Write to clients with active files, advising them that you are unable to continue representing them and that they need to retain new counsel. Be sure to advise your clients of any time limitations, prescriptive dates and time frames important to their cases. The letter should explain how and where they can pick up copies of their files and should give a deadline for doing this.
   
   
3. For cases with pending court dates, depositions, or hearings, discuss with the clients how to proceed. Where appropriate, request extensions, continuances, and the resetting of hearing dates. Send written confirmations of the extensions, continuances, and resets to opposing counsel and to your client.
   
   
4. For cases before administrative bodies and courts, obtain the client's permission to submit a motion an order to withdraw as attorney of record.
   
   
5. In cases where the client has chosen a new attorney, be certain that a motion to enroll to substitute counsel has been filed and you have appropriately withdrawn as counsel.
   
   
6. Pick an appropriate date to check that all cases either have a Motion and Order allowing your withdrawal as counsel or a Substitution of Counsel filed with the court.
   
   
7. Make copies of files for clients. Retain your original files. All clients should either pick up their files (and sign a receipt acknowledging that they received them) or sign an authorization for you to release the files to their new attorneys. If a client is picking up a file, original documents should be returned to the client and copies should be kept in your file.
   
   
8. All clients should be told where their closed files will be stored and whom they should contact in order to retrieve them. While there is no set time frame for the retention of files, five years is a good best practice. If a closed file is to be stored by another attorney, get the client's permission to allow the attorney to store the file for you and provide the client with the attorney's name, address and phone number.
   
   
9. If you are a sole practitioner, ask the telephone company for a new phone number to be given out when your old number is called. If you have a website, inform viewers that you office is closing (and a date if you have it) and any new contact information that you would want to give. This eliminates the problem created when clients call your phone number, get a recording stating that the number is disconnected, and do not know where else to turn for information.
   
   
10. Call the Louisiana State Bar Association and update your status and contact information.
    
    
11. Review the LSBA PUBLIC Opinion 05-RPCC-001 Lawyer Retirement - Ethical Requirements to Client.

• Closing a Law Office After a Death or Incapacity
  Featured in Your ABA
• Closing the Door Behind You
  By Ed Poll, GPSolo eReport
  
• Closing a Solo Practice:  An Exit To-Do List
  By Sheila Blackford and Peter Roberts, Law Practice Magazine
  

• Closing a Law Practice
  By the Washington State Bar Association
  
• Basic Steps to Ethically Closing a Law Practice
  By the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission  
  
• Planning Ahead Guide - Establishing an Advance Exit Plan to Protect Your Client's' Interests in the Event of Your Death, Disability, Retirement or Death
  By the New York State Bar Association
  
• Succession Planning Handbook for New Mexico Lawyers:  Protecting Your Client's Interests by Providing for a Smooth Transition After Your Retirement, Death or Disability
  By the New Mexico Bar Association
  
• Planning Ahead:  A Guide to Protecting Your Clients' Interests in the Event of Your Disability or Death
  By the State Bar of Michigan
  
• Winding Down
  By the State Bar of South Carolina 

Supreme Court Rule XIX, Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement, Section 27 (a), regards lawyers who have transferred to disability inactive status, or who have disappeared or died, or who have been suspended or disbarred.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule XIX, if a lawyer "has been transferred to disability inactive status, or has disappeared or died, or has been suspended or disbarred and there is evidence that he or she has not complied with Section 26, and no partner, executor or other responsible party capable of conducting the respondent's affairs is known to exist, the presiding judge in the judicial district in which the respondent maintained a practice or a lawyer member of the disciplinary board should the presiding judge be unavailable, upon proper proof of the fact, shall appoint a lawyer or lawyers to inventory the files of the respondent, and to take such action as seems indicated to protect the interests of the respondent and his or her clients." [Amended effective September 16, 2005].  

Rule XIX, Section 27 (b) provides that "[a]ny lawyer so appointed shall not be permitted to disclose any information contained in any files inventoried without the consent of the client to whom the file relates, except as necessary to carry out the order of the court which appointed the lawyer to make the inventory."  Further a copy of the executed agreement shall be forwarded to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel within thirty (30) days of its execution. A Court-approved overdraft notification agreement that attorneys and federally-insured financial institutions and their affiliates shall utilize is included as Appendix F to these rules. [Enacted effective April 15, 2006; Amended effective September 27, 2006].

• View Rule XIX in its entirety.