Adhere to your state's rules on permissible departure-based contacts with prior clients. In many jurisdictions, you can send departure announcements to your own clients and those clients with whom you have had an active lawyer-client relationship, and on whose active open and pending matters you have been directly responsible. For clients of the firm or clients you have not personally represented, however, communication about your departure is not typically permitted. In some states, communication with clients of the firm is prohibited. Disclose your communication efforts to your firm.
Some states favor joint announcements by the departing attorney and the former firm.
Carefully tailor your announcements and direct-mail communications to prior clients. Avoid communications that are false, misleading, or express your interest in a particular client's case. Some jurisdictions only permit a notification that states you are no longer with the firm and includes your change of address. In other states, you may also provide general information about your practice, such as the types of services offered and the basis upon which fees would be determined. Refrain from enclosing representation agreements with a self-addressed stamped envelope or from transmitting further information concerning the client s right to change counsel or explaining the manner in which the client could effectuate a change in representation.