Withdrawal of Appearance

No attorney who has entered an appearance in any civil action shall withdraw his appearance, or have it stricken from the record, except on order of the court. Once a client has employed an attorney who has entered a formal appearance, the attorney may not withdraw or abandon the case without (1) justifiable cause, (2) reasonable notice to the client, and (3) the permission of the court. (See Smith vs. Bryant, 264 N.C. 208. See also Rule 43 of Rules of the N.C. State Bar, Volume 4A of General Statutes of North Carolina, page 278, entitled “Withdrawal from employment as attorney or counsel.”) History Note. 276 N.C. 735. Editor’s Note. References in the General Rules of Practice to statutes, other rule sets, and caselaw have not been updated in this codification.