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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. Introduction.....................................................................................................................1
II.
Summary of Conclusions.................................................................................................1
III. Preliminary Observations ................................................................................................2
IV.
The Paramount Concern: The Client’s Freedom of Choice in the Selection of
Counsel ...........................................................................................................................3
V. Both the Departing Lawyer and the Old Firm have an Attorney-Client
Relationship with Clients Affected by the Departure; Both Bear Ethical
Obligations to such Clients in Connection with the Departure..........................................5
VI. The Duty to Communicate the Fact of Departure to Clients .............................................6
A. The Clients to Whom the Duty to Communicate Runs .........................................7
B. The Timing of Communication with Clients ........................................................8
C. Form and Substance of Communication.............................................................10
1. The Initial Communication.....................................................................10
2. Subsequent Communication ...................................................................13
3. Solicitation After Departure....................................................................14
VII.
VIII.
Duty to Cooperate in Handling and Transitioning of Active Client Matters....................16
Duty of Departing Lawyer to Notify Firm of Possible or Intended Departure.................19
A. Existence of the Duty.........................................................................................19
B. Timing of the Duty of the Departing Lawyer to Notify Old Firm .......................23
IX. Tortious Interference and Fiduciary Duty ......................................................................26
PHL:5386162.5