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On Demand

How to Leave a Law Firm While Complying with the Rules of Professional Conduct


Credit Available - See Credits tab below.

Categories:
Ethics |  Law Firm Management
Faculty:
Paige Sparks, Founder
Program Credits:
1-1.2
Credit Type:
General
Program Type:
On Demand


Description

Leaving a law firm can be a daunting process filled with legal and ethical considerations. This course provides lawyers with a step-by-step guide on how to transition smoothly while complying with the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Drawing from real-world experiences, case law, and ABA Formal Opinions, this session covers critical pre-departure considerations, client communication strategies, ethical obligations, and risk mitigation techniques. Participants will learn how to protect themselves, their clients, and their professional reputation when making a career transition.

 Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify key ethical rules governing lawyer departures, including ABA Model Rules 1.9, 1.10, 1.7, and 5.6.
  2. Develop a plan for ethically notifying clients and transitioning matters to ensure compliance with professional conduct standards.
  3. Recognize the legal and ethical risks associated with lawyer departures, including potential disciplinary actions and reputational consequences.
  4. Implement best practices for returning client files, safeguarding confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest when transitioning to a new firm.
  5. Navigate practical challenges in firm departures, including employment agreements, client communication, and mitigating legal risks.

Credits


Alabama

AL Ethics
Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved

Alaska

AK General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved

CLE programs which take place outside of Alaska or are webcast from outside of Alaska are not required to be accredited by the Alaska Bar Association.  Alaska Bar members may claim credit for attendance at CLE programs offered in or from other jurisdictions if the program has been accredited by another MCLE jurisdiction.  


Arizona

AZ General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved

The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement.  This activity may qualify for up to 1 hour(s) toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 0 hour(s) of professional responsibility.


California

CA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/09/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Colorado

CO Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Connecticut

CT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved


Delaware

DE Advanced Ethics

Credit Type: Advanced Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved


Florida

FL Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Georgia

GA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Hawaii

HI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved


Idaho

ID Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2030
Status: Approved


Illinois

IL Professional Responsibility - Legal Ethics

Credit Type: Professional Responsibility - Legal Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/09/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Indiana

IN Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Iowa

IA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved


Kansas

KS Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Louisiana

LA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/09/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Maine

ME General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/09/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Maryland

MD General

Maryland attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Massachusetts

MA General

Massachusetts attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Michigan

MI General

Michigan attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Minnesota

MN Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Mississippi

MS Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved


Missouri

MO Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Montana

MT Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Nebraska

NE Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2027
Status: Approved


Nevada

NV Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2028
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


New Hampshire

NH General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved

NHMCLE does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the NH Minimum CLE requirement. The provider believes this course meets the requirements of NH Supreme Court Rule 53 and may quality for 60 minutes toward the annual NHMCLE requirement. New Hampshire attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance.


New Jersey

NJ Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Expires: 05/16/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


New Mexico

NM Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2030
Status: Approved


New York

NY General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved


North Carolina

NC Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 02/28/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


North Dakota

ND General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2028
Status: Approved


Ohio

OH Attorney Professional Conduct

Credit Type: Attorney Professional Conduct
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Oklahoma

OK Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Oregon

OR Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved


Pennsylvania

PA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2027
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Rhode Island

RI Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/30/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


South Carolina

SC Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


South Dakota

SD General

South Dakota attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Tennessee

TN Dual (Ethics)

Credit Type: Dual (Ethics)
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved


Texas

TX Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 05/31/2026
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Utah

UT Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 12/31/2025
Status: Approved


Vermont

VT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Virginia

VA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 10/31/2025
Status: Approved


Washington

WA Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/09/2030
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


West Virginia

WV Ethics
Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1.2
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved

 


Wisconsin

WI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration:
Status: Approved


Wyoming

WY Ethics

Credit Type: Ethics
Credit Amount: 1
Course Type: On Demand
Course Expiration: 06/10/2026
Status: Approved



Materials

Faculty

Paige Sparks, Founder's Profile

Paige Sparks, Founder Related Seminars and Products

Sparks Legal


Paige Sparks is a dedicated attorney serving the greater St. Louis area, specializing in employment litigation, criminal defense, and personal injury law. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law, she has been practicing since 2019 and is licensed in Missouri. In recognition of her professional achievements, Paige was selected to the Rising Stars list in 2023 and 2024.  Beyond her legal practice, Paige is passionate about educating the public on legal matters. She shares practical legal advice and debunks common myths through her social media presence, particularly on TikTok, where she is known as "LawyerPaige." Her engaging content has attracted millions of followers, offering accessible legal information to a broad audience.