D.C. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 101

(a) IN GENERAL. Except as provided by District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rules 48

and 49, only an active member of the District of Columbia Bar may appear in this court

in a representative capacity for any purpose other than securing a continuance. This

rule does not prevent a natural person from prosecuting or defending any action on the

person's own behalf without counsel.

(b) ENTRY OF APPEARANCE.

(1) In General. An attorney may enter an appearance on behalf of a party by:

(A) including the attorney’s name on the first pleading or paper filed on behalf of the

party; or

(B) filing a notice entering the attorney's appearance and listing the attorney's

address, e-mail address, telephone number, and D.C. Bar number.

(2) Nonacceptance. The clerk will not accept any paper signed by an attorney for filing

unless the attorney is eligible to appear and has entered the attorney's appearance.

(c) WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE.

(1) Without Court Order. An attorney may withdraw the attorney's appearance in a civil

action by filing a notice of withdrawal signed by the attorney and the attorney's client if:

(A) a trial date has not been set; and

(B) another attorney enters or has entered an appearance on behalf of the client at

that time.

(2) Motion Required.

(A) In General. An attorney may withdraw the attorney's appearance only by order of

the court on motion by the attorney if:

(i) a trial date has been set;

(ii) the client’s written consent is not obtained; or

(iii) the client is not represented by another attorney.

(B) Notice to Client. Unless the client is represented by another attorney or the

motion is made in open court in the client's presence, the moving attorney must serve

the client with a copy of the motion and a notice advising the client that:

(i) if the client objects to the attorney’s withdrawal, the client must file an objection

to the attorney’s motion within 14 days after the motion is served; and

(ii) if the court grants the attorney’s motion to withdraw, the client must obtain

other counsel or proceed without an attorney.

(C) Certificate. The attorney must file, together with the motion, a certificate that

includes:

(i) the client's last known address; and

(ii) a statement that the attorney has served the client with a copy of the motion

and the notice to the client required by Rule 101(c)(2)(B).

(3) Order. Unless leave to withdraw has been granted in open court in the presence of

the client, the court or clerk must send to the client by first class mail, postage prepaid,

a copy of any order granting leave to withdraw.

(4) Grounds for Denial. The court may deny an attorney's motion for leave to withdraw

if the withdrawal would:

(A) unduly delay trial of the case;

(B) be unduly prejudicial to any party; or

(C) otherwise not be in the interests of justice.

(d) APPEARANCE BY PRO BONO ATTORNEY. A person practicing under District of

Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(9) must file a completed District of Columbia

Court of Appeals Form 9 with the person’s entry of appearance or first pleading or other

paper.

(e) LAW STUDENTS. A law student admitted to the limited practice of law under District

of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 48 may engage in the limited practice of law in

accordance with that rule.