Substitution Of Attorney Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Substitution Of Attorney, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Substitution Of Attorney?

(n). Substitution of attorney is the document evidencing the reliving of an attorney from a trial for what ever reason and selection a new attorney to replace him to continue the trial in that court, which is duly consented by the departing attorney.

History and Meaning of Substitution Of Attorney

Substitution of Attorney is a legal term used in the United States to refer to the process of changing the attorney who is handling a particular case on behalf of a party. This process occurs when the client wants to replace their current attorney with a new one, or when the attorney wishes to withdraw from representing the client. This term is also known as a "substitution of counsel".

The process of Substitution of Attorney is a common occurrence in the legal industry, as the relationship between an attorney and their client can often become strained, or clients may simply want to seek counsel from a different legal professional. The process is typically initiated by completing a document that formally informs the court of the substitution, including the name of the new attorney who will be taking over legal representation for the party.

Examples of Substitution Of Attorney

  1. During a high-profile criminal trial, the defendant fires their current attorney and hires a new one to take over representation in the case.

  2. A personal injury plaintiff substitutes their attorney in the middle of a lawsuit because they feel that they are not being well represented.

  3. A defendant facing charges of tax evasion decides to change their legal representation from a generalist to a tax attorney who can better handle the complexities of their case.

Legal Terms Similar to Substitution Of Attorney

  1. Power of Attorney - a legal document that grants an individual the right to act on behalf of another person in specific legal or financial matters.

  2. Attorney of Record - the attorney who is officially listed in court documents as representing a particular party in a case.

  3. Appearance - when an attorney officially shows up in the court proceedings on behalf of their client, this is called an appearance.