Section 159.59 - Withdrawal and Substitution of Counsel(a) Defense counsel may withdraw from representing a party only if a written motion showing good cause for withdrawal is filed by the withdrawing attorney, the substituting attorney, or the defendant.(1) If another attorney is to be substituted as defense counsel for the defendant, the motion shall state: the substituted attorney's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address; that the substituting attorney has been notified of all pending settings and deadlines; and that the substituting attorney approves the substitution.(2) If the defendant has no substitute attorney, the motion shall state: the defendant's last known mailing address, telephone number, and email address; that the defendant has been notified of all pending settings and deadlines; and whether the defendant consents to the withdrawal. If the defendant does not consent to the withdrawal, the attorney also must affirm that the defendant has been served with a copy of the motion and informed of the right to object to the withdrawal.(b) A motion to withdraw must be served on all parties and must include a certificate of conference.(c) An attorney will remain a defendant's attorney of record until a filed motion to withdraw has been granted by the judge.(d) If the motion to withdraw is granted, the withdrawing attorney shall immediately forward the notice of hearing, all additional information about settings and deadlines, and any discovery obtained for the case to a self-represented defendant or, if the defendant is represented by counsel, to the substitute attorney.(e) To ensure the delivery of service of process and future case-related communications upon the withdrawal or substitution of counsel, defense counsel shall verify and update the contact information in the electronic filing manager as follows: (1) If the defendant has no substitute attorney, the withdrawing attorney shall verify and update the party contact information and service contact information for the defendant within eFile Texas.(2) If the defendant will be represented by a substitute attorney, then the substitute attorney shall file a notice of appearance, and shall verify and update the service contact information and lead counsel designation for the record of the case within eFile Texas.(f) The Department may substitute one attorney for another by entering an appearance at the hearing or by providing notice to the defendant, or defense counsel if defendant is represented by an attorney, without necessity for a motion or order. Upon such substitution, the Department shall verify and update the service contact information and designation of lead counsel for the record of the case within eFile Texas to ensure the delivery of service of process and future case-related communications to the Department.1 Tex. Admin. Code § 159.59
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 31, August 2, 2024, TexReg 5761, eff. 8/4/2024