(a) The filing of any pleadings shall, unless otherwise specified, constitute an appearance by the
person who signs such pleading.
(b) An attorney representing a witness in any civil action or criminal proceeding, including a grand
jury proceeding, or representing a defendant or prospective defendant in a grand jury proceeding,
shall file a notice of appearance with the consent of the client endorsed thereon, with the Clerk on a
form to be prescribed and furnished by the Court, except that the notice need not be filed when such
appearance has previously been evidenced by the filing of pleadings in the action or proceeding. The
notice shall be filed by the attorney promptly upon undertaking the representation and prior to the
attorney's appearance on behalf of his client at any hearing or grand jury proceedings. When the
appearance is in connection with a grand jury session, the notice of appearance shall be filed with the
Clerk in such a manner as to maintain the secrecy requirements of grand jury proceedings. For the
purpose of this rule, an attorney shall be deemed to be appearing for and representing a witness or
party if he is present within the courthouse and advising such witness prior to entering the chambers
of the grand jury or is interviewing witnesses of the grand jury before or after their appearance.
(c) Each attorney retained by defendants in criminal cases shall, within three (3) days after being
retained, notify the Clerk in writing of his appearance as attorney of record and shall furnish a copy
of said notice to the United States Attorney. Counsel becoming associated with counsel already of
record in a criminal case or being substituted for counsel then of record in the case, upon being
associated with or replacing counsel or upon being retained by a party or parties to the case, shall
notify the Clerk in writing of his appearance in the case. Counsel so registered as counsel of record
will not be relieved of such responsibility except upon order of the Court as hereinafter prescribed.
(d) Whenever a party has appeared by attorney, he may not thereafter appear or act in his own behalf
LOCAL RULES for the SOUTHERN DISTRICT of GEORGIA
Page 43 of 60
Rev. June 2016
in the action or proceeding, or take any step therein, unless an order of substitution shall first have
been made by the Court, after notice to the attorney by such party and to the opposite party, provided,
that the Court may hear a party in open court, notwithstanding the fact that he has appeared or is
represented by an attorney.
(e) No attorney shall withdraw his appearance in any action or proceeding, either civil or criminal,
except by leave of the Court as hereinafter prescribed.
(f) When an attorney dies, or is removed or suspended or ceases to act as such as hereinafter
prescribed, a party to an action or proceeding for whom he was acting as attorney must, before any
further proceedings are had in the action on his behalf, appoint another attorney or appear in person,
unless such party is already represented by another attorney. Failure to so act or to so appear in
person and to furnish his address to the Clerk shall constitute a default on his part.
(g) If an attorney for any party is examined as a witness in an action or proceedings, and gives
testimony on the merits, he shall not argue the merits of the case or proceeding, either to the Court or
jury, except with the permission of the Court.
(h) Only one attorney on each side shall examine or cross examine a witness, and not more than two
(2) attorneys on each side shall argue the merits of an action or proceeding unless the Court shall
otherwise prescribe.
