Rule 9.3 Duties Upon Resignation
Title 9: Resignation
Rule Text
(1) Licensee to Discontinue Practice. A licensee who has resigned licensure with the Oregon State Bar shall not practice law after the effective date of the resignation. This rule shall not preclude a licensee who has resigned from providing information on the facts of a case and its status to a succeeding licensee, and such information shall be provided on request.
(2) Responsibilities. It shall be the duty of a licensee who has resigned to immediately take all reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to any client and to comply with all applicable laws and disciplinary rules.
(3) Notice. When, as a result of an licensee’s resignation, an active client matter will be left for which no other active licensee of the Bar, with the consent of the client, has agreed to resume responsibility, the resigned licensee shall give written notice of the cessation of practice to the affected clients, opposing parties, courts, agencies, and any other person or entity having reason to be informed of the cessation of practice. Such notice shall be given no later than fourteen (14) days after the effective date of the resignation. Client property pertaining to any active client matter shall be delivered to the client or an active licensee of the Bar designated by the client as substitute counsel no later than 21 days after the effective date of the resignation.
(4) Contempt. Disciplinary Counsel may petition the Supreme Court to hold a licensee who has resigned in contempt for failing to comply with the provisions of BR 9.3(a), (b), or (c). The court may order the licensee to appear and show cause, if any, why the licensee should not be held in contempt of court and sanctioned accordingly.
Amendment history: (Rule 9.3 amended by Order dated March 13, 1989, effective April 1, 1989.) (Former Rule 9.3(c) redesignated as Rule 9.3(d); Rule 9.3(c) added; and Rule 9.3(d) amended by Order dated May 3, 2017, effective January 1, 2018.) (Rule 9.3(d) amended by Order dated May 22, 2019, effective September 1, 2019.) (Rule 9.3 amended by Order dated August 17, 2022, effective July 1, 2023.) (Rule 9.3(c) amended by Order dated December 26, 2023, effective January 1, 2024.) (Rule 9.3(a)-(d) redesignated Rule 9.3(1)-(4) by Order dated May 23, 2024, effective January 1, 2025.) (Rule 9.3(1) through (4) amended by Order dated October 15, 2025, effective January 1, 2026.)