Should any Pod Member be scheduled to leave your Pod, then you should give one month's written notice (or where this is not possible, for example in the case of gross misconduct, then as much notice as possible) to the Director of Operations and Compliance. During the notice period, the Administration Team will effect the exit process set out in the relevant Compliance Agreement. This will include wiping all client data from the IT hardware that will leave the firm with the exiting Pod Member (an SRA requirement - though clients can authorise a data transfer to them/you or a new firm if they wish) and checking and confirming the position as regards WIP, bills, funds in client account, unbilled disbursements, ongoing conduct of files and any live undertakings. Naturally, exits must be conducted in a controlled orderly fashion and exiting Pod Members will be required to sign an Exit Declaration confirming this is the case. Further details on the process are available on request from the Administration Team. To discuss the strategy regarding exiting a Pod Member, you should contact the Director of Operations and Compliance. The standard Exit Declaration can be accessed here.
Pod Principals leaving the firm will also be required to follow our exit process as outlined above and to sign an Exit Declaration.