The Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board is proposing a new rule that will require attorneys to have written succession plans under the Rules of Professional Conduct.

“The future is unpredictable and lawyers must strive to lessen the impact of unexpected interruption to their relationships with clients by proactively protecting the clients’ interested in the event of the attorney’s death, disability, or other unanticipated absence,” the board’s explanatory report reads. “A succession plan helps ensure a smooth transition of client files and ease chaos in times of crisis.”