Closing a Law Practice CLE

Home Closing a Law Practice an SBG COP CLE on 03-28-25
The State Bar of Georgia Committee on Professionalism

presents

Closing A Law Practice: Transitioning Out of the Practice of Law or To A New Practice (or the Bench)

(staff support provided by the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism)

A FREE to attend CLE Virtual Only via Zoom: Friday, March 28, 2025, 11 am – 1:15 pm

Confirmed Panelists:

 

 

Mr. William C. Gentry

Founding Partner, Gentry Law Firm LLC

 

Ms. Andreea Morrison

Office of General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia

 

Judge Glenda Hatchett (Retired)

Of Counsel, Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys

 

Mr. Michael Leo Monahan

Pro Bono Director, State Bar of Georgia

 

An additional speaker may be announced.

 

Moderated by Hon. Kimberly A. Alexander, State Court of DeKalb County

 

Speakers and Writers Bureau Sub-Committee Co-Chairs: Michael Perez and Kevin Patrick

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

1) Voluntary Closing (I want to wind down)

  1. Sell My Practice
  2. Close My Practice Entirely – including retiring my firm name (because I am a senior lawyer or I am going to the bench, for example)
  3. Groom Associates and Junior Partners to Carry on A Practice in My Firm Name After I Transition Out
  4. Wind down my practice in my name, but take some of my clients to a new firm where I have a different role

2) Involuntary Closing (Life Happened) and the Importance of A Designated Attorney

  1. Death – An Attorney suddenly and unexpectedly dies
  2. Incapacity (Known) – An attorney has a long-term illness or other matter that takes him or her away from the practice for an extended period of time
  3. Incapacity (Unknown) – An attorney is in a coma or unresponsive and the future is unclear or uncertain

3) Pro Bono After Closing A Practice

Information Regarding CLE Credit

The CLE has been approved in Georgia only for 2 hours of CLE credit, including 1 hour of professionalism CLE credit and 1 hour of ethics CLE credit for attorneys who attend the entire 2.25-hour CLE.  Attorneys are responsible for paying the cost of the CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Georgia’s CCLC Department. The Commission will only report CLE attendance in Georgia.

The CLE has been approved for 2 hours of CLE credit, including 1 hour of professionalism CLE credit and 1 hour of ethics CLE credit.

Learn More About the Commission's Suicide Awareness Program

On April 30, 2021, the Commission held a Suicide Awareness Program.  To view the materials and resources from the program, click here. This is a test.

If you are thinking of hurting yourself, or if you are concerned that someone you know may be suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by phone 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or via chat at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.

Members of the State Bar of Georgia may also contact the Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program confidential hotline at 800-327-9631. #UseYour6

To learn more about other resources available to members of the State Bar of Georgia, click here.