When It Is Important, Get Legal Counsel Direction In Writing.

A doctor is considering terminating a practice relationship with another doctor. The doctor terminating asked how he should proceed. Here is an excerpt from my memo that may be of help to other Doctor CEO’s. Specifically the suggestion is that when a very important or detailed question(s) are involved getting a written advice letter can be valuable since you will act and rely on the advice.  "Per our telephone conversation this morning the following are suggestions are provided for you to consider relating to your question of when to give notice to terminate your working relationship.

1) We discussed that you should consider contacting your current local counsel to review your practice relationship legal documents. Based on that review counsel will provide advice on when and the length of time for the notice to effectively terminate the relationship.

2) We discussed that you should consider requesting a written letter from your local current counsel stating specifically his advice regarding a) what type of notice is required, if any, b) where it is to be delivered, c) how many days or months is required for the notice to be effective, d) what possible legal challenges that might be made against you upon giving notice, e) whether you are free to communicate with the patients you have been treating or not or if any communication is conditioned in any manner, f) in your particular case [with further details not provided here], how you can effectively avoid an abandonment of patients allegation if you are not permitted to communicate with the patients, and g) whether there are any additional legal or financial issues you should be alert to in winding up the relationship."