While no checklist can answer every question about the ins and outs of becoming a sole practitioner, this list is a starting point for any lawyer who is considering opening her own law practice.   Read More...

In Missouri, an attorney wishing to form a Professional Corporation is required to submit the name of the Professional Corporation to the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The submission must include the names of the proposed lawyer-shareholders and a $5.00 fee for each shareholder. Upon receipt, the Court will provide the attorney with a Statement of Good Standing for each of the shareholders. This Statement of Good Standing should accompany the firm’s Articles of Information filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. 

The best to time to start planning for winding down your practice is when you are starting it. Preparing now for the day when retire will help guide you through many practice and firm management decisions as you grow and prosper.

To learn more about the personal and professional risks lawyers faced by lawyers who fail to plan for their own death or disability, see The Bar Plan article Your Legacy as a Lawyer on the Line.

For a step-by-step guide in addressing these issues, see The Missouri Bar's Planning Ahead publication.   

The Missouri Lawyer Trust Account Foundation has released a newly revised edition of the Missouri Lawyer Trust Account Handbook (PDF) or go directly to the Missouri Bar Homepage for a Word version.   

In New Mexico, corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) are registered with the Corporations Bureau at the Public Regulations Commission. For more information, please click on the link below.   Read More...

If you are an Indiana lawyer interested in starting your own practice, you should begin by reviewing the information provided by the Indiana Secretary of State office.  This website provides general information on the different types of Indiana business entities as well as details on registering an entity in Indiana.    Read More...

Kansas lawyers interested in starting their own practice, should review the information provided by the Kansas Secretary of State office on its website.  This website provides general information on the different types of Kansas business entities as well as details on registering an entity in Kansas.    Read More...

If you are a Missouri lawyer interested in starting your own practice, you should begin by reviewing the information provided by the Missouri Secretary of State office.  This website provides general information on the different types of Missouri business entities as well as details on registering an entity in Missouri.    Read More...

The first step for Missouri lawyers when planning to leave their firm is to read In re Cupples, 979 S.W.2nd 932 (Mo. 1998).

From the opinion: "Prior to withdrawal, lawyers within a firm have a duty to treat each other fairly and honestly and to put the interests of the law firm regarding firm business before their individual interests. The lawyer may not compete with the firm for business opportunities. Each lawyer has a duty to the firm to represent firm clients diligently, competently, and zealously.

After an attorney withdraws from a firm, the fiduciary duties no longer prohibit competition. However, the firm and the departing attorney have a duty to deal in good faith in winding up the firm business. Both the withdrawing attorney and the firm have a duty to inform firm clients of any material change in representation and to obtain the clients' informed direction as to how the client wishes its work to be handled. The withdrawing attorney and the firm also have a duty to orderly maintain or transfer the clients' files in accordance with the clients' directions and to withdraw from representing those clients by whom they are discharged. Both the withdrawing attorney and the firm have a mutual duty, not only to the client, but to each other as well, to make certain that these tasks are completed in a competent and professional manner to the reasonable satisfaction of their clients."