LEGAL DOCUMENT

Case: TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD v. SUSAN MARIE BUILDERS, INC.
Citation: 599 A.2d 319
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1991-11-15
Docket Number: No. 90-583-A
Pages: 319–320
Volume: 599
Reporter: West's Atlantic Reporter, Second Series

Parties: TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD v. SUSAN MARIE BUILDERS, INC.

TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD v. SUSAN MARIE BUILDERS, INC.
No. 90-583-A.
Supreme Court of Rhode Island.
Nov. 15, 1991.
Michael D. Mitchell, Adler, Pollock & Sheehan, Providence, for intervenor.
Michael A. Kelly, Adler, Pollock & Shee-han, Providence, for defendant.

ORDER
This case came before this court on November 6, 1991, pursuant to an order directing both parties to appear before this court and show cause why the issues raised in this appeal should not be summarily decided.
After hearing the arguments of counsel and examining the memoranda filed by the parties, we conclude that the trial justice should have granted Adler, Pollock & Sheehan’s motion to withdraw. In a civil action at a noncritical stage of the proceedings, a corporation that wants to litigate and prosecute its action cannot do so at the expense of the law firm representing it. Imposing such a financial burden on the law firm to maintain continued representation is improper. The decision of the trial justice is reversed, and this case is remanded to the trial court for proceedings in accordance with this order.
The appeal of the defendant’s attorney is therefore sustained.