Practice Takeover – State Bar of Nevada

Practice takeover appointees serve an important service to the public and to the profession by volunteering to close the practices of attorneys who have disappeared, been transferred to disability inactive, died, or have otherwise been removed from the practice of law. Appointees may be asked to assume the responsibility for client file retention, handle cases directly, notify clients of the need to obtain substitute counsel, and take appropriate measures to distribute case files as directed. Additionally, there are times when the appointee may be granted access to the attorney’s client trust account for the purposes of taking inventory of missing funds, disbursing funds to clients, and/or collecting fees from clients who elect to retain the appointee for future representation.

Attorneys may submit an application to the state bar. Qualified applicants will be submitted to and approved by the Board of Governors. Qualifications include but are not limited to:

Must be an attorney in good standing with the state bar;
Must be a licensed Nevada attorney for a minimum of five years

Practice Takeover Application

Practice Takeover/Closure Attorney Application

Name*

First

Last
Phone Number*
Phone Number
Email Address*
Admission Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Bar Number*
Number of Attorneys in Your Firm*
Areas of Practice*
Willingness to Accept Appointment*
Supreme Rule Court Rule (“SCR”) 118(1) (Appointment of counsel to protect client’s interest), in relevant part, states:

Whenever an attorney has been transferred to disability inactive status, abandoned his or her practice, resigned, died, or been suspended or disbarred, and there is evidence that the attorney has not complied with Rule 115, and a responsible person capable of conducting attorney’s affairs cannot be found, the chief or presiding judge, or designee in the judicial district(s) in which the attorney maintained his or her practice, upon application of bar counsel, the state bar may appoint a disinterested attorney(s) to examine and inventory the attorney’s files and to take such action as is necessary to protect the interests of the attorney and the attorney’s clients.

If selected for appointment to take over and close an attorney’s practice pursuant to SCR 118, could you commit to the time necessary, often on an emergency or immediate basis, knowing that the full size and scope of the practice takeover may not be immediately known?
- Yes
- No
Experience in Handling Trust Account*
There are times when an appointment includes access to the attorney’s client trust account to reconcile it for the purpose of disbursing funds to clients and/or taking inventory of client funds that may be missing from the account. Do you have experience in handling a client trust account and the accounting of client funds?
- Yes
- No
Discipline History*
Have you ever had a filing of discipline, public or private, in this or any other jurisdiction?
- Yes
- No
If yes, please explain
Malpractice Insurance*
Do you carry malpractice insurance?
If yes, how much?*
Geography*
Please identify the geographic area(s) (i.e. county/city/town) in which you would be willing to accept an appointment:
Brief statement*
Please provide a brief statement on why you wish to serve in this position and what you feel you could contribute:
Signature*
I do hereby waive any confidentiality and consent to disclosure to the Board of Governors of all discipline files and records in jurisdictions where I am or have been admitted to practice regarding any complaints filed against in this appointment process. I hereby acknowledge receipt of the State Bar of Nevada Conflict of Interest Policy and I agree to abide by its terms during the tenure of my appointment.
Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY