What to do about older firm owner who sits in the office 5 days/wk 8 hours per day reading the Yahoo home page? I am his sole associate. He has hemmed and hawed about transitioning to retirement and executing a buyout agreement in a “couple of years” but it seems like he’s already retired and just hangs out here.

For reference, my book of business and clients generate 60-65% of receivables for the firm now, but most new clients come in based on his name recognition, and all are handed to me.

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Maybe ask him to hire another associate so you can delegate work to the associate. Or nudge him by saying you are thinking of starting your own firm if he doesn’t have a start the succession in a couple months

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Thank you folks. Most times I’m so busy rushing from matter to matter and client to client juggling all the cases A-Z that I never stop to consider any ability to branch off. It’s during those times when I’m juggling a half dozen meetings, receivables, hiring temp contract staff, making capital improvements, working with new software, and writing all my own petitions and motions that I walk by and see a man who’s already retired but not really ready to let it go.

Well. Hes paid his dues! If you are getting your overhead paid for, malpractice insurance, and he is generating the business...whats the issue?

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Thank you for the perspective. I think the conversation about adding another associate as suggested by others in this thread are instructive. Adding an associate might make it feel more like 2 attorneys doing the work of 3 instead of 1 doing the work of 2.

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I truly respect the man and dont wish to offend him but I am at a loss here at how to continue working to keep the firm going from a business perspective as it feels as though it’s on my back these days. He cannot write or type letters or bill time. However he is an excellent attorney and mentor.

A2,

He does seem to think that active retirement is possible. I’d like to help him with that as I appreciate his presence in the office and his name is on the door.

Except that carrying two salaries plus paralegal plus large office rent is quite a lot of overhead especially when the highest salary (plus car lease, parking paid for by corp) is going to someone who isn’t actively billing. Just working the remaining cases and a few things that come in.

I also do the firms marketing, I maintain our website, I manage the office, track and account for receivables, handle both the iolta and regular account, most of our bills and our lease.

I could leave and take my cases with me (35-40% I originate myself) but I absolutely refuse to do that to him or to myself as I am known with him now. So it’s about working out a succession plan that’s feasible.

He’s not going home anytime soon. Make sure you get paid enough and get some help (paralegal, associate, etc). Be glad he’s bringing in the business.

Never assume another lawyer will retire. Oftentimes they never do and you’re stuck in limbo for 20 years.

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