Opinion ID: 1281092
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Continuance Because Attorney was Absent

Text: Appellants claim the trial judge erred in failing to continue the hearing because their counsel was medically unable to attend. We disagree. A motion for continuance is within the sound discretion of the trial court and the ruling will not be reversed without a clear showing of abuse. First Savings Bank v. McLean, 314 S.C. 361, 444 S.E.2d 513 (1994); South Carolina Department of Social Services v. Broome, 307 S.C. 48, 413 S.E.2d 835 (1992). The trial judge did not abuse his discretion. Mrs. Broome, who claimed to be the attorney for Kelley, was unable to attend the hearing due to illness. Although the trial judge had attempted to schedule this hearing with Mrs. Broome instead of Mr. Broadwater, who was counsel of record for appellants, no substitution of counsel has been filed with the court. Thus, once Mr. Broadwater appeared, the attorney of record for appellants was present and there was no longer a need to continue the case. Further, when Mrs. Broome's law partner, Mr. Broome, appeared to request a continuance, it became apparent that Mr. Broome was familiar with the case. Also, as an experienced family law attorney, Mr. Broome was competent to address the issues involved in an attorney's fees hearing. Thus, Mr. Broome was capable of filling in for Mrs. Broome. Further, appellants have shown no prejudice as a result of the refusal to grant the continuance. Broome initially claimed the hearing should not proceed because his attorney, Mr. Broadwater, was not present. However, once Mr. Broadwater appeared, Broome claimed Mr. Broadwater was no longer his attorney and he asked for a continuance in order to obtain counsel. Because Broome had already been granted a continuance based on this ground in July 1994, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying Broome's request for another continuance. Broome had ample time to employ another attorney. Further, Broome has failed to show prejudice as a result of the refusal to grant the continuance.