When Jim Calloway announced his retirement, I had a moment of panic. After working alongside him since 2018, I knew his departure would leave a gap in institutional knowledge, long-standing relationships, and organizational history. Even though I was ultimately chosen to lead the Management Assistance Program, that moment made me reflect on how lawyers and law firms manage succession planning.

It’s easy to postpone those conversations, especially when everything seems to be running smoothly. But unexpected changes can create stress and uncertainty if there’s no plan in place. That’s why I appreciated this article from Attorney at Work, which outlines five practical tips to help open the conversation:

Succession Planning Without Panic: 5 Tips to Open the Conversation

If your firm hasn’t started thinking about leadership transitions or long-term planning, I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it. Planning ahead ensures continuity of service and gives peace of mind to you, your clients, and your colleagues.

Speaking of planning, it’s time to refresh our own resources on succession planning. If you’re interested in contributing, I’d love to hear from you. Just email me at julieb@okbar.org.