Did your law firm close?

Searching for a new attorney after your California law firm closed?

For Displaced California Clients, Time Is Critical

Few situations are as stressful as discovering that your law firm has closed, withdrawn, or can no longer represent you while your case is still active. Your legal matter does not end when a firm closes, but California court deadlines do not pause. Hearings, discovery cutoffs, trial dates, statutes of limitation, and filing requirements may still apply.

Kimura London & White LLP helps displaced clients throughout California understand their rights, secure their case files, evaluate their options, and move quickly when a transfer of counsel is needed. Every matter we accept is personally handled by a named attorney, not passed through a case manager or intake-only system.

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What To Do If Your California Law Firm Closed

If your attorney or law firm has closed while your case is pending, the most important step is to act quickly and stay organized. The earlier you identify your deadlines and secure your file, the easier it is for new counsel to step in and protect your position.

Important first steps include:

• Do not wait, because court deadlines and statutes of limitation may still be running
• Request your complete case file from the closed firm or receiver in writing
• Consult independent counsel before signing with a recommended replacement firm
• Verify every upcoming deadline, hearing, discovery cutoff, and trial date
• Provide your new attorney with your case number, pleadings, correspondence, and prior filings

Under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(e)(1), you are entitled to your client file upon request. If you need help preparing that request, our team can help you draft the letter and begin reviewing your situation quickly.

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A Proven Litigation Firm Ready To Step In

When a California law firm closes mid-case, you need experienced, trial-ready counsel who can step in immediately, understand the record, assess the risks, and prepare your case as if it was theirs from day one.

Kimura London & White LLP is an award-winning Irvine litigation firm. Our Inc. 5000 firm has been featured in Forbes and Fortune magazine and has recovered more than $21 million in settlements and verdicts for clients throughout California.

Every case we accept, whether transferred from a closed firm or brought to us fresh, is prepared as if it may proceed to trial. That approach strengthens negotiation posture, clarifies risk, exposes weaknesses in opposing claims early, and positions clients for favorable outcomes through settlement, dismissal, or verdict.

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Your Rights When A California Law Firm Closes

When a California law firm closes, you still have meaningful protections. Your case is not automatically over, and you are not required to stay with any attorney selected by the closing firm.

Right 01: Your Complete Case File

You are entitled to your complete case file from the closed firm or its receiver. California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(e)(1) requires release of the client file on written request.

Right 02: Choose Your Own Counsel

You are not required to accept a replacement attorney recommended by the closing firm. The choice of new counsel belongs to you.

Right 03: Prior Work Transfers With Your Case

Discovery, filings, depositions, motions, and correspondence already completed generally transfer with your case. New counsel can use the prior work product to get up to speed and continue the matter.

Right 04: Existing Court Deadlines Still Matter

If your case has already been filed, it typically continues on its current docket and schedule. That means upcoming deadlines must be identified and protected immediately.

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A Trial-Ready Firm That Picks Up Where Others Left Off

Selecting the right attorney after your firm closes is one of the most important decisions you will make about your case. The firm you choose must be able to step in quickly, review the record, identify deadlines, and prepare aggressively without losing momentum.

When working with Kimura London & White LLP, you benefit from attorneys who bring genuine trial experience, deep familiarity with California state and federal courts, and an unwavering commitment to treating your matter with the seriousness it deserves.

• Trial-ready from day one: Every matter is prepared as if it may go to verdict
• Personally handled: Your case is worked by a named partner or senior attorney
• Seamless case transfer: We help with substitution of counsel, file requests, and court notifications
• California court experience: We appear regularly in Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles Superior Court, and courts throughout California

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Cases We Accept From Closed Or Transitioning Law Firms

Kimura London & White LLP accepts transferred and new cases across two core practice areas: business litigation and personal injury. Every accepted case is personally handled by a named KLW attorney from the first call through final resolution.

Business & Commercial Litigation

We represent companies, executives, business owners, and professionals in complex commercial disputes throughout Orange County and across California. Our business litigation practice includes:

• Partnership and shareholder disputes
• Breach of contract litigation
• Business fraud and misrepresentation
• Defamation and business torts
• Class action defense
• Construction defect disputes
• Commercial real estate litigation
• Trust and estate litigation involving business interests

Success in business litigation depends on careful attention to detail, disciplined discovery, strategic depositions, expert coordination, and well-developed motion practice. Opposing counsel notices the difference when a case is prepared properly.

Personal Injury, Personally Handled

Serious injury cases deserve serious attorneys. At Kimura London & White LLP, personal injury matters are handled by a named attorney from intake through resolution. We know your file, we know your injuries, and we prepare from day one.

Personal injury cases at our firm are handled on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you. For transferred cases, attorney fee splits with prior counsel are handled between the firms under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5.1. There is no out-of-pocket cost to you for the transfer.

Personal injury matters we accept include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Premises liability and slip and fall
• Wrongful death
• Catastrophic and serious injury
• Product liability
• Construction site injuries

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Our Record Of Results

With a record of multimillion-dollar results in Orange County Superior Court and courts throughout California, Kimura London & White LLP delivers strategic, results-driven advocacy tailored to the realities of modern disputes.

• $4 million premises liability settlement: Resolved at the courthouse steps after complete trial preparation
• $1.9 million bench verdict: Secured after rigorous preparation and an aggressive litigation posture in California Superior Court
• 100% attorney's fees recovered: Complete victories in First Amendment and anti-SLAPP matters
• $21 million+ recovered: Total recovered across all matters in settlements and verdicts

Our results reflect a consistent commitment to preparation, precision, and aggressive representation when it matters most. We do not treat cases as files. We treat them as businesses and people worth fighting for.

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Frequently Asked Questions: California Law Firm Closed

What are my rights if my California law firm closes?

You have the right to your complete case file, the right to choose new counsel of your own choosing, and the right to continue your case without losing prior work product. California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(e)(1) requires the closing firm or its receiver to release your file on written request. Deadlines do not pause, so it is important to act quickly.

Will I lose the work already done on my case?

No. Discovery responses, depositions, court filings, motions, and prior correspondence transfer with your case. Your new attorney picks up from where prior counsel left off. The court docket and existing deadlines remain intact.

How do I get my case file from a closed law firm?

Submit a written request to the firm or, if one has been appointed, to the receiver overseeing the wind-down. Under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(e)(1), they are required to release your complete file. If you encounter resistance, we can help prepare the formal written demand during your consultation.

Can I transfer my personal injury case to a new attorney?

Yes. California clients have the right to change counsel at any stage of a case, including active litigation. Your new attorney files a substitution of attorney with the court and the case continues. For contingency cases, the fee split between prior counsel and new counsel is handled between the firms under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5.1.

Can I transfer my business litigation case to a new attorney?

Yes. A substitution of counsel is filed with the court and the case continues on the same docket with all existing deadlines intact. If your matter has an active trial date or an upcoming hearing, contact counsel immediately so the transfer can be handled without delay.

What if my case has an upcoming court deadline?

Call us as soon as possible. We move quickly on cases with active court deadlines and can review the docket, identify what is pending, and determine whether we can substitute in on short notice.

How much does it cost to transfer my case to KLW Law?

For personal injury matters, we work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you. For business litigation matters, fee arrangements are discussed during your confidential consultation. In transferred personal injury cases, attorney fee splits with prior counsel are handled between the firms.

Does KLW Law handle cases outside Orange County?

Yes. Kimura London & White LLP represents clients in commercial litigation and personal injury matters throughout Southern California and across California, including Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles Superior Court, and state and federal courts including the Central District of California.