Rule 3-12. Change in Name, Composition or Membership of a Firm or Professional Corporation

(a) Whenever the appearance of a firm or professional corporation (hereinafter collectively referred to as ''unit'') has been entered upon the record of the court and there is a change in the name, composition or membership of such unit, it shall be the duty of such unit forthwith to notify, in writing, the director of court operations of the Judicial Branch, giving the name, mailing address and telephone number of the successor firm, professional corporation or individual who will continue the major portion of such unit's business. In court locations having access to the automated roll of attorneys, upon receipt of such notice the appearance of such successor will be automatically entered in lieu of the appearance of the former unit in all pending cases. In other court locations, unless such successor unit files a notice to the clerks pursuant to Section 2-26 or withdraws its appearance under the provisions of Section 3-10, the former unit's original appearance shall remain on file in each case in which it had been entered and the clerk may rely on the information contained therein for the purpose of giving notice to such unit regarding court activities involving the cases in which the unit remains active.

(b) In each case where such successor will no longer represent the party or parties for whom the original unit had entered an appearance, it is the duty of the new attorney who will represent such party or parties to enter an appearance, and it is the duty of the successor firm, professional corporation or individual to withdraw such unit's appearance under the provisions of Section 3-10.

Committee Notes

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 78.)