Why Succession Planning Isn’t Just for Clients Anymore
After decades of service, it’s not uncommon for law firms to quietly wind down, refer out clients, and lock the doors.
That’s not what happened here.
At the beginning of this year, the estate planning practice of Angermeier & Rogers LLP officially joined the Centurion Legal Services family as part of a strategic merger. Together, we’re setting a new precedent for what legal succession can look like: one built on relationship continuity, brand preservation, and thoughtful transition planning.
Importantly, this transition involves only the estate planning side of the firm. Bob and Vince Angermeier will continue operating their disability law practice independently as Angermeier Disability Law, while Mark Rogers joins Centurion in his new role as Senior Counsel, continuing to serve clients in estate and wealth transfer matters.
As a product of their estate planning mindset, rather than winding down, the Angermeier & Rogers team chose to pass the torch intentionally. They’re still advising clients today while gradually transitioning long-standing relationships to our team. That continuity is something their clients (and ours) deserve. And it’s a model we believe is only just beginning to take hold.
Why This Approach Is Gaining Traction
In an industry that often defaults to either consolidation or closure, there’s a quiet shift happening. One that prioritizes legacy preservation, client continuity, and long-term strategy over short-term exit.
Here’s why more small and midsize firms are leaning into thoughtful brand migration and strategic succession-based mergers:
Relationship-first transitions: Rather than abrupt departures, phased transitions allow longtime partners and founders to retire or refocus with confidence, knowing their clients will be in capable, trusted hands.
Brand value doesn’t disappear, it compounds: Years of trust, reputation, and referral equity don’t need to be erased. Merging under a shared identity extends the life of that value while infusing it with new energy and capacity.
More flexibility, less red tape: Premier firms can move faster and more intentionally than large institutions. This makes them well-suited to personalized transitions, especially in trust-based practice areas such as estate planning and business succession planning.
It’s succession planning, not just for clients, but for firms: The same strategic thinking attorneys apply to client succession can (and should) be applied to their own businesses. This model ensures the firm’s impact lives on, even after its original partners step back.
At Centurion Legal Services, our mission is to make this kind of transition the rule, not the exception. Whether you’re a founder thinking about the future or a client looking for stability, we believe in long-term relationships, thoughtful growth, and doing things the right way.
This isn’t just a new chapter for us. It’s a blueprint for how firms like ours can evolve without losing what matters most.
If you’re a client or colleague of Angermeier & Rogers LLP, welcome. We’re honored to serve you.
If you’re a firm exploring your next chapter, we’re always open to conversation.