Client Contingency Planning for Ontario Lawyers under LSO By-Law 7.1
Your practice needs a client contingency plan.
Does yours hold up?
The obligation is broader than most lawyers realize
For a sole practitioner, the plan must address the possibility that they are unable to continue practice. For a firm, the obligation is the same — they need to address the possibility that a meteorite falls at the firm picnic and no one is left to continue the practice.
In every case, Here’s the minimum requirement: an operationally ready playbook for an external lawyer to step in, notify the Law Society and LawPRO, address urgent client matters by re-homing or returning files, and return client property.
That playbook has to be complete, current, and accessible.
What’s Included in our LSO compliance package
Thorough intake process covering all firm-specific details
Fully documented Client Contingency Plan meeting By-Law 7.1 requirements
Administrator designation structure tailored to your firm
Trust account authority documentation guidance
Technology and digital access protocols
Guidance on implementation and annual review obligations
$1599 plus HST
Who We Are
Shona Bertrand is a non-practicing lawyer and professional practice entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience across litigation, financial services, and practice ownership. She understands how law firms work, how to handle sensitive and confidential information, and what the LSO expects for compliance purposes.
Preserver builds client contingency plans that are substantive, LSO-compliant, and designed to work when they're needed most.