Court Opinion

ID: 9670218
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:16:53.800942+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:03.119049
License: Public Domain

Krivosha, C. J.,
concurring.
I am in full agreement with the majority opinion in this case. I add this concurring opinion solely for the purpose of highlighting a matter which I believe deserves particular attention. In this case the record indicates that defendants’ Iowa attorney was *232joined by Nebraska counsel. The record further indicates that Nebraska counsel’s name appeared on the various pleadings and on the briefs filed in this court. Yet Nebraska counsel did not appear in this court at the time of oral argument, nor does the record indicate when, if at all, Nebraska counsel participated in this matter in the trial court. It is obvious that had Nebraska counsel been more actively involved in the trial of this case, Iowa counsel might not have failed to timely file a motion for new trial.
The purpose of resident counsel joining with nonresident counsel is obvious. It is to insure that the nonresident counsel will be associated with a counsel involved in the litigation who is knowledgeable and familiar with the laws and practices of this state. By permitting his name to be affixed to a pleading or brief, a resident lawyer represents to this court that he is a part of the litigation and a counsel of record. Accordingly, he should be held accountable for the transaction of the litigation to the full extent as if there were no nonresident counsel. A resident lawyer should not permit his or her name to be affixed to pleadings or briefs unless he or she intends to be involved in the litigation and familiar with the actions taken by nonresident counsel. The failure to properly perform in a case in which counsel’s name appears may give rise to subsequent disciplinary action by reason of counsel failing to act in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility as adopted by this court.