Arkansas

Civil Procedure

Civil Procedure

Rule 64 – Addition and Withdrawal of Counsel

(a) When additional counsel is employed to represent any party in a case, said counsel shall immediately cause the clerk to enter his or her name as an attorney of record in the case and shall also immediately notify the court and opposing counsel that he or she has been employed in the case.
(b) Except as provided in Rule 87 of these rules, a lawyer may not withdraw from any proceeding or from representation of any party to a proceeding without permission of the court in which the proceeding is pending. Permission to withdraw may be granted for good cause shown if counsel seeking permission presents a motion therefor to the court showing counsel (1) has taken reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to the rights of the client, including giving due notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel; (2) has delivered or stands ready to tender to the client all papers and property to which the client is entitled; and (3) has refunded any unearned fee or part of a fee paid in advance, or stands ready to tender such a refund upon being permitted to withdraw.

Ark. R. Civ. P. 64

Adopted July 9, 1984, effective September 1, 1984; amended July 6, 1987, effective September 21, 1987; amended December 14, 2017, effective December 14, 2017.

COMMENT

Reporter’s Notes to Rule 64: Prior to 1984, there was no Rule 64. The Rule was adopted in 1984 to state the procedural requirements for withdrawal of counsel which had been addressed in Rule 9 of the Uniform Rules for Circuit and Chancery Courts. The new Rule is based upon DR2-2110 of the Code of Professional Conduct [superseded].

Reporter’s Notes, 1987 Amendment: As adopted in 1984, Rule 64 dealt only with withdrawal of counsel, a topic also covered by Rule 9 of the Uniform Rules for Circuit and Chancery Court. The 1987 amendment addresses the employment of additional counsel, an issue heretofore covered by Rule 8 of the Uniform Rules. The amendment makes no change in existing law.

Reporter’s Notes (2017): Subdivision (a) was amended to add, “Except as provided in Rule 87 of these rules,” upon the adoption of Rule 87.