Opinion ID: 1920952
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: Motion to Withdraw Counsel Burke

Text: Doorbal next asserts that appellate counsel was ineffective because counsel failed to allege on direct appeal that the trial court erred when it denied the motion to withdraw filed by cocounsel Burke. In the motion to withdraw, Burke revealed that her secretary and Doorbal had entered into a romantic relationship, which caused multiple problems with the attorney-client relationship between Burke and Doorbal. However, Burke subsequently abandoned the motion. During a hearing held on November 24, 1997, Burke stated on the record: Mr. Doorbal and myself and Mr. Natale have been able to resolve any issues that might be potentially conflicting. I would be filing something that we would like Mr. Doorbal to sign to the Court as well as Mr. Natale. We have been unable to prepare it based on [Natales family troubles]. At this point I will remain as second chair in the case. Is that correct Mr. Doorbal? Doorbal verified that this statement was correct. See id. Appellate counsel cannot be ineffective for the failure to raise an abandoned motion on appeal. See Teffeteller, 734 So.2d at 1028. Therefore, we deny this claim. [15]