N.D.R.Ct.
RULE 11.2. WITHDRAWAL OF ATTORNEYS
(a) Notice of withdrawal. An attorney's appearance for a party may only be withdrawn upon leave of court. Reasonable notice of the motion for leave to withdraw must be given by personal service, by registered or certified mail, or via a third-party commercial carrier providing a traceable delivery, directed to the party at the party's last known business or residence address.
(b) Motion to withdraw. The motion for leave to withdraw must be in writing and, unless another attorney is substituted, must state the last known address of the party represented.
(c) Withdrawal on Appeal. If a notice of appeal is filed in a matter, any attorney seeking leave to withdraw must file the motion with the supreme court clerk.
(d) Limited Appearance. This rule does not apply to attorneys representing a party under a limited appearance filed under N.D.R.Civ.P. 11(e) unless the attorney seeks to withdraw from the limited appearance itself.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 11.2 was amended, effective March 1, 1999; March 1, 2000; March 1, 2006; ____________.
The March 1, 1999, amendments allow notice via a commercial carrier providing a traceable delivery service.
The March 1, 2000, amendments are stylistic.
Subdivision (c) was added, effective March 1, 2006, to make it clear that an attorney seeking to withdraw from representation in a matter that is on appeal must file a motion for leave to withdraw with the supreme court clerk. The supreme court clerk will refer withdrawal motions involving court appointed attorneys to the trial court for decision and appointment of new counsel.
Subdivision (d) was added, effective ______________ to make it clear that an attorney who files a limited appearance to represent a party for one or more matters in a case is not required to formally withdraw upon completion of activity under the limited appearance. Rule 11.2 and N.D.R.Civ.P. 5 and 11 were amended to permit attorneys to assist otherwise unrepresented parties on a limited basis without undertaking full representation of the party.
Sources: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of _________________; September 23-24, 2004, page 29; May 6-7, 1999, pages 15-16; January 29-30, 1998, page 22.