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Embrace Proactive Planning for a Smooth Professional Transition


Many people ask me about the process of closing my practice and starting a new job in the spring of 2017. It was undoubtedly an exhilarating time, but I must admit it was also quite chaotic. From the moment I received the formal job offer to my reporting date, there was a mere three weeks. During those three hectic weeks, I had to wrap up ongoing cases, shutter my practice, list my house for sale, and embark on a move spanning six states.

Looking back, I realize that the chaos stemmed from my reluctance to plan ahead. When I was in the application phase for my new job, deep down, I wasn't entirely confident I would secure it. This lack of certainty led me to procrastinate planning until I had a concrete offer in hand.

In hindsight, I had a good year, if not more, to prepare for the possibility of this job change that would necessitate closing my practice. My wife had urged me on multiple occasions to start planning, but my fear of negatively impacting my business held me back. Consequently, I continued with business as usual, promoting my company, taking on new clients, and maintaining the status quo.

The truth is, I could have prepared for the closure of my practice much earlier. I could have set aside funds for movers, initiated the appraisal process for my house, and strategized case closures to expedite the process. I could have even begun researching the valuation of my firm for a potential sale, which could have eased the financial burden of the move. What I didn't do was any of these things. My fear of jinxing my chances with over-planning prevented me from taking these crucial steps.

When I received the initial indication of being on the hiring list in the spring of 2016, that should have been my cue to start executing these plans. Unfortunately, I continued to procrastinate. Fast forward to March 2017, I found myself in a car with my wife, receiving a life-changing call. I was offered the job, and they needed an immediate answer. I accepted it, and the clock started ticking.

During those three weeks, I had at least three impending hearings, one of which required out-of-state travel. I managed to reschedule the post-start date hearings, but I chose to proceed with the three cases I had prepared for. Simultaneously, we had to compose mass letters and emails to inform our clients about the practice closure, offering suggestions for alternative legal representation. Some clients were understandably frustrated that they hadn't been given a heads-up.

In the midst of this, we had to figure out the logistics of moving our belongings, selling our house, securing temporary housing, selling a car, and transporting our possessions.

In the end, everything worked out, but it was needlessly stressful and chaotic. The worst part is that it didn't have to be this way. Often, we let paranoia about the consequences of early action hinder us. I firmly believed that taking preliminary steps toward closing my practice would ensure its closure, but I failed to see that planning ahead would have simplified the transition for me, my wife, and our household.

Never allow paranoia to deter you from professional planning. Opportunities will come your way, and it's crucial to have plans in place to navigate them smoothly, avoiding the scramble of balancing two worlds simultaneously. Learn from my experience: there's nothing wise about planning based on fear. 

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