M.R. Prof. Conduct 1.17A

A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of

law practice, including good will, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) The purchaser, who must be authorized to represent clients in the

State of Maine and in matters to be transferred, assumes the obligations of an

attorney to the clients whose files are transferred.

(b) The seller gives the following notices:

(1) written notice to each of the seller's current or former clients

affected by the sale and to the Board of Overseers of the Bar regarding:

(A) the proposed sale including the name of the purchasing attorney or

the names of the attorneys who practice within the purchasing firm;

(B) the client's right to retain other counsel or to take possession of the

file;

(C) the fact that the client's consent to the transfer of the client's files

will be presumed if the client does not take any action or does not

otherwise object within ninety (90) days of receipt of the notice; and

(D) the terms of any proposed change in the fee arrangement

authorized by paragraph (c).

(2) If a client cannot be given written notice, the representation of that

client may be transferred to the purchaser only with the approval of the Board

of Overseers of the Bar through its Bar Counsel. If Bar Counsel and the seller

cannot agree on the steps adequate to attempt to give written notice, either

party may petition the Supreme Judicial Court for an order from a Single

Justice approving the transfer or ordering preconditions to transfer.

(3) Further notice shall be given by publication in digital and paper

versions of a newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the

seller is engaging in the practice of law, at least thirty days before the

anticipated transfer of files. Such notice shall include the anticipated date of

sale and identification of the purchasing lawyer or firm, but not the identities

of the clients being transferred.

(c) The fees charged clients shall not be increased by reason of the sale.