COURSE DESCRIPTION

Speakers Karen Kishbaugh of Kishbaugh Law Firm and Rachel Sheikh of RBS Law will discuss the topic of succession planning by sole owners of solo law firms and small firm practices in accordance with the requirements of the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. This seminar will cover the practical and ethical implications that arise when a sole owner becomes incapacitated or dies and the paramount need of establishing a comprehensive plan in advance to ensure (1) the firm’s clients and their matters continue to receive appropriate, timely legal counsel and (2) all business aspects of the underlying law practice are properly handled. 

Our speakers will outline the principal elements of a sole owner’s succession plan; specific considerations and factors that will shape the plan itself; its application during the owner’s temporary or permanent absence; and the necessary provisions and  documents to ensure compliance with Colorado RPC Rules 1.3, 1.6, and 5.4. This seminar will also address the consequences of not having a  succession plan, as well as how a succession plan in compliance with Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct will avoid adverse consequences.

Course Materials: Sample documents, provisions, and text of referenced CRCP rules will be provided and discussed. 

OUR SPEAKERS:

Karen Kishbaugh, Esq. The Kishbaugh Law Firm partners with business owners and in-house legal teams to provide high performing corporate contracts, outsourced legal services, business start-up services, franchising and strategic advice for day-to-day operations and project development.  After receiving her geology degree at The Pennsylvania State University, Karen and her German Shepherd Dog moved to Colorado where she received her law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. Before establishing her own firm, Karen practiced environmental law as a Colorado Assistant Attorney General and served as in-house and general counsel for engineering, franchise, and oil and gas companies.

Rachel Bernstein Sheikh, Esq. is founder and managing attorney of RBS Law, a law firm focused on estate planning and probate administration. She received a B.A. in psychology from Amherst College in 2000 and was awarded a J.D. from the University of Villanova School of Law in 2005. Rachel is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member the Colorado Bar Association (CBA), the Jefferson County Bar Association, Colorado Women Owned Law Firms (W.O.L.F.), as well as the Solo and Small Firm, and Trust & Estates sections of the CBA. She is a graduate of the Colorado Bar Association's Leadership Training Program and serves on the Continuing Legal and Judicial Education Committee to foster and promote competence and professionalism among Colorado lawyers. She has been a frequent presenter on the topic of estate planning in various communities and settings.

❖

This program is part of The Practical Lawyer Practice Management CLE series for Solo & Small Law Firm Owners & Attorneys specially developed by Colorado W.O.L.F. and co-sponsored by the Solo Small Firm Practice Section, Colorado Bar Association. Through the financial backing of the SSF Section, webinar and home study access are offered free to all SSF Section members. Section funding is provided on a course by course basis. Contact Ashley Staab at astaab@cobar.org with questions or to join CBA's Solo Small Firm Practice Section.