Advance Succession Registry

The Columbus Bar's Advance Succession Registry Can Help

Although the need to have a succession plan is discussed in Comment [5] to Ohio Prof. Cond. Rule 1.3, there is no law or rule in effect in Ohio that requires an attorney to participate in a program like our Advance Succession Registry (the Registry). Nevertheless, all attorneys, whether a member of a law firm or a solo practitioner, have an ethical obligation to consider the immediate impact that such an unfortunate event will have upon their clients. Every attorney should consider putting a plan in place to protect those clients. Our Registry can be that plan.

Take Control of Your Succession Plan

The Registry allows you, as the Registering Attorney, to have control over what steps are taken immediately after events such as your unforeseen death, disability, disbarment, or other incapacity. Through the Registry, you can designate another Ohio-licensed Attorney, the Designated Attorney, to provide the immediate assistance that your clients will need if you are no longer there to help

Being a Designated Attorney is a short-term opportunity to give back to our profession. A Designated Attorney has been given the chance to make an immediate and positive difference in the lives of clients and family members under the most unfortunate circumstances.

Ohio’s attorneys are encouraged to put this stopgap plan in place today. Do not wait another minute to be the attorney who rests easy knowing that you have designated another attorney as the person that your clients can turn to in their time of need.