Opinion ID: 1634907
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Motion to Disqualify Counsel for Appellee

Text: Appellant filed in the trial court a motion to disqualify counsel for the City of Dover, Mr. David McCormick, asserting that because he served as Dover's city attorney and actually drafted the ordinance in question, in addition to serving as trial counsel for appellee, his service as trial counsel created a conflict of interest and prejudiced appellant in violation of Rule 3.7 of the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The trial court rejected these arguments. We affirm the trial court. Appellant has correctly noted that Rule 3.7 of the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct prevents an attorney from being an advocate in a case in which he is likely to be a necessary witness. However, merely because the appellant thinks that the attorney for the appellee is a likely witness is insufficient to justify appellant's effort to disqualify him in this action. It is undisputed that appellee's attorney drafted the ordinance that called for the election, which appellant is challenging. However, an examination of the pleadings filed by appellant reveals that his attack is upon the lands within the area being annexed not meeting the statutory requirements, not the manner in which the ordinance was drafted nor the manner in which the ordinance was passed. Appellant's brief asserts that Mr. McCormick's testimony is certain to relate to highly-contested matters concerning the attempted annexation in this case without ever setting forth what those highly-contested matters are, and, of which, Mr. McCormick is supposed to have knowledge. Here, as in the trial court, the brief and argument of appellant make only vague and general allegations that Mr. McCormick has knowledge of certain matters that will be contested. At the very least, the appellant had the duty to advise the trial court and this Court of the exact matters about which Mr. McCormick will be expected to testify. Furthermore, appellant had the duty to demonstrate to the trial court that such testimony could not be gained from any other witness or source. Most importantly is the fact that the manner in which the City of Dover Ordinance 2001-2 was enacted was not challenged in the trial court by appellant and is not relevant to the issues contained in appellant's pleadings. Lee v. City of Pine Bluff, 289 Ark. 204, 710 S.W.2d 205 (1986), holds that a majority of electors voting in favor of annexation makes a prima facie case for annexation, and the burden rests on those objecting to produce sufficient evidence to defeat the prima facie case. The facts surrounding the enactment of the annexation ordinance are simply not relevant. Appellant's brief fails to set forth any facts or law that gives this Court any legitimate basis for disqualification of Mr. McCormick. Appellant has simply failed to demonstrate that the trial court's decision to deny his motion to disqualify appellee's counsel was erroneous or that he was prejudiced as a result.