Michigan Law Firm Dissolutions: Planning Beyond Success

Forming a law firm is exciting. It’s about putting your legal experience, and those of like-minded others, together to create success. At the onset, most lawyers plan how the firm will operate, how it won’t, and what will happen when everyone gets too busy. Yet, few Michigan law firms plan for what happens when intra-company disputes arise, a partner wants to leave or has died, the firm breaks up, or the entire firm itself needs to be dissolved. Planning beyond the success of a law firm is always a smart idea as litigation around these kinds of events can be expensive – and ugly.

There Is No “I” In “Team”

We’ve all heard that expression and it certainly makes sense. Operating a law firm is definitely a team effort and often takes everyone pitching together to meet deadlines, manage clients and simply run the firm on a day to day basis. However, when some of the problems described above arise, those “I’s” start to make an appearance because at the end of the day, people want their fair share. Add in the fact that everyone involved is a lawyer him- or herself – and it may seem that litigation is unavoidable.

Firms that have plans for how to handle law firm dissolutions, partner withdrawals, break-ups and intra-company disputes can:

• clarify expectations
• mitigate the risk of lawsuits
• decrease the risk of potential tax liabilities
• institute a succession planning process
• decrease risks for spouses and other beneficiaries

Those firms who do not have a plan may end up in a bitter battle and partners may find themselves at opposing tables in front of a judge for the first time in their lives.

Regardless of whether your firm does or does not have a plan, it’s important to retain an experienced law firm to manage those issues for you. At HCFA, we believe that it’s always better to avoid the courtroom whenever possible and preserve the relationships you’ve built over the years. However, we also understand that sometimes resolving disputes is not attainable without turning to the courts. Retaining a law firm with the tools needed to achieve your goals is the key.

You Can Rely On Our Toolbox

The lawyers at Troy, Michigan-based Hickey, Cianciolo, Finn & Atkins, PC have the tools to assist you in assessment, planning, negotiation, drafting and litigation concerning dissolutions, break-ups, withdrawals and intra-company disputes. In fact, our firm has over 30 years of experience in the management and negotiation of these types of disputes – both in and out of the courtroom.

Whether your issue involves business law, insurance coverage law or general civil liability, let the seasoned Michigan attorneys at HCFA be your trusted advocates. We proudly represent clients in Troy, Oakland County, metropolitan Detroit and throughout Michigan. We welcome you to contact the Law Office of Hickey, Cianciolo, Finn & Atkins, PC by calling 248-247-3300 or by using our online form.