The State Bar of Georgia has introduced a new resource designed specifically for one of the profession’s fastest-growing and most underserved groups: senior and aging lawyers. The Senior Lawyers Section, approved in 2025, marks the Bar’s first formal structure dedicated to helping experienced attorneys extend their careers, navigate transition, and plan for the unexpected.
The section emerged from years of study by the Bar’s Aging Lawyers Task Force, which studied the practical, ethical, and personal challenges attorneys face as they approach later stages of their careers. The section is intended to support lawyers and promote stronger client protection and professionalism statewide.
Why a Senior Lawyers Section Was Needed
The legal profession is aging nationwide, and Georgia is no exception. Many attorneys now continue practicing well into their seventies and beyond, sometimes by choice, sometimes out of financial necessity, and often because their knowledge and experience remain in high demand.
But the realities of an aging workforce raise serious questions:
- What happens if a solo attorney experiences a sudden health crisis?
- How can older lawyers wind down their practices ethically and efficiently?
- What support exists for lawyers who want to stay active but scale back?
- How can the Bar help ensure that client matters are protected if an emergency occurs?
The Senior Lawyers Section was created to address these issues head-on.
Key Goals of the New Senior Lawyers Section
The section’s mission focuses on three core priorities:
1. Support Attorneys Who Wish to Continue Practicing: Many senior lawyers want to stay involved in the profession, but with flexibility. The new section aims to:
- Provide resources that help experienced attorneys remain active and effective.
- Offer guidance on practice extensions, technology adoption, and ethical obligations.
- Promote professionalism and continuing engagement for lawyers of all ages.
2. Help Lawyers in Transition, Including Retirement: Transition does not have to mean stepping away entirely. The section will support:
- Lawyers preparing for retirement or reduced practice.
- Attorneys exploring “second stage” careers, consulting, or pro bono opportunities.
- Families working to manage a lawyer’s affairs during a health-related transition.
3. Strengthen Succession and Emergency Planning: Sudden illness or cognitive decline can put clients at risk and create chaos for families or colleagues. The section is expected to collaborate with the Bar’s Office of General Counsel to help attorneys:
- Create emergency plans in the event of a health crisis.
- Build or refine succession plans that protect clients and preserve practice value.
- Access guidance when assisting a lawyer who has not prepared a plan in advance.
Special Rules and Resources for Senior Georgia Attorneys
In addition to the new section’s goals, Georgia already has several long-standing rules and support mechanisms in place for senior attorneys, including:
- CLE Exemption: Attorneys ages 70 and older are exempt from the state’s mandatory continuing legal education requirement.
- Emeritus Status: Members age 70+ with at least 25 years of practice may apply for emeritus status, which:
- Waives annual dues.
- Allows participation in pro bono programs.
- Retains the option for future reinstatement to active practice.
These existing programs integrate naturally with the section’s broader effort to support the professional lifecycle of senior attorneys.
Connecting Senior Lawyers With Community Resources
Beyond Bar-provided benefits, senior lawyers in Georgia can also access external resources such as:
- Georgia Senior Legal Aid, which provides phone-based legal help and referrals to older adults.
- The Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP), coordinated through the Division of Aging Services.
- Area Agencies on Aging, which help connect seniors with legal and social services.
The Senior Lawyers Section is positioned to become a hub to help lawyers and families navigate these programs, especially during transitions or crises.
Strengthening the Profession Through Planning and Support
The creation of the Senior Lawyers Section is a meaningful step toward recognizing the unique contributions and challenges of Georgia’s most experienced attorneys. By supporting senior lawyers, promoting thoughtful transition planning, and reinforcing client protection, the Bar is taking a proactive approach to an issue affecting every corner of the profession.
Whether an attorney is continuing to practice, preparing for retirement, or working through an unexpected health event, the new section will offer structure, guidance, and community, and ultimately help ensure the integrity of legal services across the state.