Attorneys come, and attorneys go. Get used to it. It doesn’t mean much about you; it’s just the nature of the game.

It’s nice, however, to have some sense of when they’re going to leave so you can get ready. It’s economically challenging to keep a spare lawyer packed away for use on a moment’s notice, so you’ll want to be very aware of an impending resignation so you can take action to replace the disloyal bastard departing attorney.

How can you tell when attorneys are on their way out?

1. They start dressing well. Shoes are shined, their hair is done properly, and their clothes aren’t wrinkled. They look snappier than they’ve been looking.

2. They ask more computer questions than they’ve asked in the past. They’re very interested in how to email files, back up address books, etc.

3. Their door is closed more than usual.

4. Suddenly, they have no more complaints about anything. Many lawyers are incessant complainers. When they stop complaining, they’ve moved on in their heads.

5. Suddenly, they’re working hard to close out open files. They’re interested in scheduling settlement conferences or mediations or pushing things forward in court. They’re doing the things you’ve been begging them to do.

6. They take secret cell phone calls. You’ll see them grab the cell phone, tell the caller to hold on, and quickly walk out the door. Sometimes you’ll happen upon them talking on the phone in the exterior hall or outside on the street.

7. They start carrying a second cell phone. Who needs two cell phones? Someone up to no good, that’s who.

8. There are odd absences from work, and they block out specific times from their calendars for things that don’t make any sense.

9. They fail to show up for the firm’s social functions.

10. They are “checked out” at attorney meetings and just don’t have much to say (which is very odd for most lawyers).

11. They seem embarrassed or awkward when they’re forced to talk to you (which they avoid doing in the first place). They avoid eye contact with you.

12. You walk in, and they suddenly switch the screen on their computer.

13. They aren’t communicating with their legal assistant. The legal assistant doesn’t know where the lawyer is or what that event on the calendar is all about.

Eventually, you’ll develop a sixth sense about who’s happy and who isn’t—who’s staying and who’s leaving. You’ll know they’re on the way out long before they realize that’s what they’re going to do. Most lawyers aren’t well equipped to practice family law. Many of them will try it out and decide to switch fields. Others aren’t good at working for others and will need to go do their own thing. You’ll get better and better at spotting these different types of lawyers as you go along.

With practice and with an eye on these 13 signs, you’ll become an expert at knowing when it’s time to ramp up the hiring engines. You’ll have your replacement ready right about the time your lawyer gives you notice.