Amy E. Richardson authored an article for the NC Bar Association titled “Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Professionalism in Attorney Departures” on January 7, 2026.
Amy examined how lawyer departures test not only compliance with ethics rules but the profession’s broader commitment to professionalism. Drawing on the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct and recent ethics opinions, including 2021 FEO 6 and 2025 FEO 1.
Amy explains the core ethical obligations triggered when a lawyer leaves a firm. She also highlights how professionalism during transitions can strengthen reputations and create future business opportunities. Read the full article here.
Amy Richardson is Chair of the firm’s Legal Ethics and Malpractice group. Her practice focuses on legal ethics and professional responsibility matters, white collar defense, and complex commercial litigation. Amy teaches legal ethics and professional responsibility at Duke University School of Law.