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While I’ve always appreciated the comfort and security of a stable life, I find that spontaneity and change make life richer and more interesting. I often advise clients that major changes – like switching jobs, retiring or moving – can be daunting, but when you make them intentionally, they can also lead to new growth, fresh energy, and new sources of joy and fulfillment. Every so often, it’s invigorating to be “re-potted,” to spread your roots and try out new environments, experiences, and challenges.

Now I have taken my own advice: after 45 years in our home in Oakland, we have moved across the Bay to San Francisco. Please make note of my new office address and phone number:

301 Mission Street, Unit 905

San Francisco, CA 94105

510-918-8634

I’ll reflect a bit on that move and tell you about two new resources below. But first, I’m excited to share another milestone.

50 Years in the Law – and a Gift to Mark the Milestone

This year marks my 50th year in the legal profession – an anniversary that brings both pride and gratitude. I spent the first 20 years as a litigator and the last 30 as an advisor to lawyers, firms, and legal organizations. And I’m fortunate to be able to continue my coaching and consulting work on retirement and succession.

To celebrate, I’m dropping the…

Several weeks ago I distributed a survey to ascertain how law firm partners want their firms to support them as they prepare to retire, and what law firms are actually doing in that regard. A big thank-you to the lawyers who answered the survey questions. Below I will discuss some of the most salient findings.

In addition, as you think about the upcoming holidays, remember that my book, Retirement by Design, is a practical, enjoyable and worthwhile gift for your colleagues, friends and family who may be thinking about or entering retirement. It’s a great gift for yourself, too! It’s available from most book sellers, online and in stores. And be sure to check out my website and YouTube channel for many other resources to help individuals contemplating retirement and to help law firms support their lawyers through succession and retirement transitions.

Survey Results

The 2024 Retirement Best Practices Survey sought information about “whether and how law firm partners plan for retirement and client succession and what their law firms might do to support them.” Survey responses were submitted by 142 partners. Because the survey was anonymous, the number of law firms they represented is unknown. However, based on the contact information provided by those lawyers who chose to do so, it is clear that the firms ranged very broadly in size and location. Moreover, some individual law firms and…

The 2024 Retirement Best Practices Survey I wrote about in my previous newsletter is still open. The survey is intended to ascertain what law firms can do to support lawyers through succession planning and retirement. If you are a lawyer who is retiring now, planning to retire soon, or starting to think about retiring, I hope you’ll answer the survey questions. And if you know lawyers who fall into any of those categories, please forward the link to them and ask them to complete the survey. It takes only 5-10 minutes and is completely anonymous; whether you include your name or firm is entirely optional. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IdaAbbottSuccessionPlanning 

Here’s how my survey can benefit your law firm specifically: If your firm has at least about 25 partners to whom this survey is directed, or if your firm is part of a law firm network whose total number of partners is sufficiently large, I can create a dedicated link for your firm or network. (A substantial number of potential respondents is necessary to generate enough responses.) The survey questions will remain the same but the dedicated link will produce firm- or network-specific data that will be directly relevant and highly useful to your firm or group as it manages partner succession and retirement. If you would like a dedicated link or for more information, please get in touch with me.

UN-RETIREMENT
‘I flunked retirement.” I’ve heard that line many times when I…