Source: http://www.sunethics.com/le---withdrawal.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 04:30:40+00:00

Document:
The case was set to be tried on February 9, 2017.  On February 7 a new law firm, Brock & Scott, filed a notice of appearance for Bank and a motion to continue the trial.  The trial court denied the motion for continuance.  The Bells’ counsel subsequently argued that “Brock & Scott was not properly representing [Bank] because there was no withdrawal of the prior law firm and there was no order of substitution of counsel,” contended that as a result Brock & Scott should not be heard, and moved for dismissal of the case with prejudice.  The trial court “found that [Bank’s] attorney ‘failed to appear after being properly noticed’ and granted [the Bells’] motion to dismiss the case with prejudice.”  Bank appealed.
The Fifth DCA reversed because the trial court abused its discretion in finding that Bork & Scott was not counsel of record for Bank.  Under Fla.R.Jud.Admin. 2.505(e), “counsel may appear in a proceeding through any one of three ways: (1) by serving and filing a party’s first pleading; (2) by substitution of counsel, which requires an order of the court and the client’s written consent; or (3) by ‘filing with the court and serving upon all parties a notice of appearance as counsel for a party that has already appeared in a proceeding pro se or as co-counsel for a party that has already appeared in a proceeding by non-withdrawing counsel.’  Here, Brock & Scott filed a notice of appearance pursuant to rule 2.505(e)(3), which did not require a court order.  As prior counsel had not moved to withdraw, the only implication is that [Bank] was represented by more than one law firm, which is permissible.  We further determine that [Bank] was denied due process when the trial court proceeded to hear and rule on [the Bells’] ore tenus motion for dismissal of the complaint with prejudice without providing [Bank] a full and fair opportunity to present its case, despite the fact that [Bank] was present by counsel and a corporate representative witness.”  U.S. Bank, N.A. Trustee for AMP 2006EFC26 v. Bell, __ So.3d __ (Fla. 5th DCA, No. D17-2983, 2/1/2019), 2019 WL 405482.
Court erred in denying public defender’s motion to withdraw on conflict grounds after lawyer failed to disclose privileged information in response to judge’s questioning.  [Added 4/20/16] -- Young v. State, __ So.3d __ (Fla. 2d DCA, No. 2D15-3245, 3/30/2016), 2016 WL 1238597.
Lawyer’s failure to file proper notice of withdrawal eventually mushroomed into sanctions and referral to Bar for not maintaining reliable address. [Added 12/27/15] -- Belkova v. Russo, __ So.3d __ (Fla. 5th DCA, No. 5D14-2201, 12/18/2015), 2015 WL 9239810.
Actual prejudice to defendant not required before public defender will be permitted to withdraw during retrial phase due to conflict involving another client.  [Added 2/25/15] -- Smith v. State, __ So.3d __ (Fla. 1st DCA, Nos. 1D14-5647, 1D14-5730, 2/17/2015).
Supreme Court denies motion to withdraw filed by lawyer representing convicted criminal defendant who wants to argue for death sentence. [Added 7/17/14] -- Robertson v. State, __ So.3d __ (Fla., No. SC13-443, 7/10/2014).
Supreme Court adds new Rule of Juvenile Procedure governing withdrawal in dependency and termination of parental rights cases.  [Added 5/31/13]  -- In re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, 115 So.3d 286 (Fla. 5/23/2013).
Per Supreme Court, trial courts may consider “excessive caseload conflict” issue in deciding motions to withdraw on systemic rather than case-by-case basis.  [Added 5/28/13]  -- Public Defender, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida v. State, 115 So.3d 261 (Fla. 5/23/2013).
Court erred in dismissing case where party was not notified that his lawyers had withdrawn and was not provided copy of withdrawal order.  [Added 3/7/13]  --  Brunoehler v. Burger, 108 So.3d 733 (Fla. 5th DCA 3/1/2013).
Fifth DCA indicates that lawyer’s motion to withdraw should be granted where attorney-client relationship has become “adversarial.”  [Added 11/13/12]  -- Bowin v. Molyneaux, 100 So.3d 1197 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012).
Criminal conviction reversed because court abused its discretion in denying motion to substitute counsel and for short continuance.  [Added 12/20/11]  --  Alvarez v. State, 75 So.3d 420 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011).
Motions to withdraw.  Amended Rule 2.505(f) requires that a motion to withdraw filed by a party's counsel include the client's last known telephone number and email address.  The Court stated in its opinion that the amendment would "make it easier for the court [in which the withdrawal motion was filed] to maintain contact with a party who may have to proceed pro se after withdrawal of the attorney."
Fifth DCA denies motion to withdraw from appellate proceeding on ground of "irreconcilable differences."  [Added 9/26/11]  -- Benenati v. Chase Home Finance, LLC, 70 So.3d 600 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011).
Law firm may be liable in legal malpractice action for harm to former client occurring after firm withdrew from representation.  [Added 4/17/11]  -- Golden Gate Homes, LC v. Levey, 59 So.3d 275 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).
Court erred in denying motion to withdraw filed by lawyer who wasn't being paid.  [Added 3/4/11]  --  Roth v. Cortina, 59 So.2d 163 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011).
Court erred in denying continuance where party was unemployed and her counsel  withdrew on eve of trial.  [Added 12/3/10]  --  Quintero v. Kenyon, 48 So.3d 808 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010).
Court erred in granting Public Defender's motion to withdraw based on alleged "excessive caseload" conflict.  [Added 7/8/10]  -- State v. Bowens, 39 So.3d 479 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010).
Court erred in denying motion to withdraw because Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel not subject to appointment for indigent defendants in postconviction case.  [Added 4/26/10]  -- Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Second District v. Smith, 33 So.3d 105 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010).
Lawyer appointed from "Involuntary Appointment List" to represent defendant in complex RICO prosecution should have been permitted to withdraw.  [Added 8/18/09]  -- Hagopian v. Justice Administrative Commission, 18 So.3d 625 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009).
Third DCA reverses circuit order permitting Public Defender's Office to decline representation in all future 3rd-degree felony cases.  [Added 5/15/09]  -- State v. Public Defender, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, 12 So.3d 798 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Law firm's effort to withdraw from case in response to motion to disqualify may not remedy problem.  [Added 4/2/09]  -- Lewis v. Nical of Palm Beach, Inc., 10 So.3d 159 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009).
Regional Conflict Counsel has no standing to object to Public Defender's motion to withdraw from a case on conflict grounds.  [Added 3/20/09]  --  Johnson v. State, 6 So.3d 1262 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009).
Lawyer who withdrew from contingent fee case for health reasons may not have forfeited his right to fee.  [Added 11/1/07]  --  Collier v. Bohnet, 966 So.2d 1033 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007).
Defense counsel's "nodding acquaintance" with key state witness was not conflict of interest requiring counsel's withdrawal; defense counsel did not err in failing to withdraw; RPC 4-3.5(d)(4) constitutional.  [Added 10/17/07]  --  Kormondy v. State, 983 So.2d 418 (Fla. 2007).
Second DCA outlines procedure for lawyers to follow when withdrawing from or appearing in cases already on appeal.  In re P.G., 944 So.2d 443 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006).  NOTE:  See also S.H. v. Department of Children and Family Services, 955 So.2d 610 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007).
Client's absence from defense counsel's ex parte disclosure to court of counsel's concerns about his ability to be effective (due to anticipated bar complaint and client perjury) violated client's due process rights.  Frett v. State, 864 So.2d 577 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004).

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