Smith v. Bryant

The transcript of the trial below reveals defendant to have been badly in need of legal counsel. She had employed a lawyer, who had entered a formal appearance upon the court record by filing her answer to the complaint. Thereafter he was not at liberty to abandon her case without (1) justifiable cause, (2) reasonable notice to her, and (3) the permission of the court. Perkins v. Sykes, 233 N.C. 147, 63 S.E. 2d 133; Gosnell v. Hilliard, 205 N.C. 297, 171 S.E. 52.

Whether an attorney is justified in withdrawing from a case will depend upon the particular circumstances, and no all-embracing rule…