At 1818, our practice is built at the intersection of employment law and legal malpractice—two areas that directly govern what happens when a lawyer leaves a firm. We regularly represent professionals in high-stakes employment disputes and defend or prosecute claims involving professional responsibility, fiduciary duties, and malpractice exposure.
That unique combination allows us to offer something few firms can: strategic, ethically grounded counsel to attorneys navigating law-firm departures, partner exits, and client transitions. We do not just understand the rules—we understand how employment relationships, fiduciary obligations, and malpractice risk collide in real-world firm breakups.
If you are contemplating a move, here is why experienced lawyers turn to 1818 to guide them through the process.
The Ethical Minefield of Leaving a Firm
Few moments in a lawyer’s career carry more risk than leaving a law firm. Whether you are starting your own practice, moving to another firm, or restructuring a partnership, the decisions you make in that transition can have lasting ethical, financial, and reputational consequences.
In Illinois, departures are governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and guidance from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (IARDC). These rules prioritize client choice, confidentiality, and protection of client interests—but they leave enormous room for error.
We routinely see attorneys make mistakes such as:
- Communicating with clients in ways that can be characterized as improper solicitation.
- Failing to coordinate client notifications with their firm, creating disputes over who controls the relationship.
- Mishandling files, trust funds, or deadlines during the transition.
- Triggering conflict-of-interest or confidentiality violations without realizing it.
These missteps can expose lawyers to:
- Ethics complaints and disciplinary investigations,
- Fee disputes and injunctions,
- Partnership litigation,
- Client claims for disruption or prejudice.
The risk is not theoretical. It is real, and it is career-defining.
Why 1818 Is Different
1. We Combine Employment Law and Legal Malpractice Expertise
Law-firm departures are not just ethics questions—they are employment disputes, fiduciary duty matters, and malpractice-risk events wrapped into one. Because 1818 focuses on both employment law and professional malpractice, we approach lawyer transitions from all three angles:
- Contractual and partnership rights,
- Professional-responsibility compliance,
- Risk management and claim prevention.
We do not just ask, “Is this allowed?” We ask, “Will this expose you to liability six months from now?”
We Protect Client Choice Without Exposing You to Claims
Clients have the right to choose their lawyer. But how and when that message is communicated is everything.
We help you:
- Draft compliant client-transition notices,
- Avoid improper solicitation or misleading communications,
- Ensure files and funds are transferred correctly,
- Preserve continuity of representation so clients are not prejudiced.
Our approach keeps the focus where it belongs—on the client—while protecting you from accusations of overreach or misconduct.
We Anticipate Firm Pushback Before It Happens
Departures can trigger:
- Allegations of breaching fiduciary duties,
- Claims of misuse of firm resources or confidential information,
- Disputes over fees, retainers, and work in progress,
- Attempts to block client communication or file transfers.
We prepare for those issues before they arise. From document protocols to exit timing to post-departure communications, we help you structure your transition so that you are defensible, ethical, and strategically positioned.
We Offer Practical, Business-Savvy Counsel
Leaving a firm is not just an ethics problem—it is a business event.
At 1818, we advise on:
- Practice transitions and new-firm launches,
- Engagement letters and client onboarding,
- Fee structures and contingency arrangements,
- Branding, professional identity, and risk management.
Our clients include solo attorneys, lateral partners, boutique founders, and attorneys exiting complex firm relationships. We tailor the strategy to your goals—not a one-size-fits-all template.
When Should You Call 1818?
You should speak with us before you:
- Announce your departure internally,
- Contact any clients,
- Download or transfer any files,
- Negotiate exit terms with partners,
- Start onboarding clients at a new firm.
The earlier we are involved, the more we can prevent problems rather than litigate them.
The 1818 Approach: Strategic, Ethical, Protective
At 1818 Advisors & Attorneys, our mission is simple: help lawyers navigate professional transitions the right way—with integrity, compliance, and strategic foresight.
We do not just help you leave a firm.
We help you protect your license, your reputation, your clients, and your future practice.
If you are considering a move, a new firm, or a partner exit, we invite you to speak with us confidentially.
