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CIV-151 Guidance: Application to be Relieved as Attorney (California)

An attorney would use the CIV-151 form to request to withdraw upon completion of a limited scope representation in a civil case, once they have fulfilled all agreed-upon tasks and responsibilities. Jump to guide on filling it out.

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The information provided on this website/page is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the author and any readers or users of this content.

Reviewed By

Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Attorney
Jenna Zebrowski is a JD/MBA graduate from Texas Tech University School of Law. After working in Mexico City for 3 years, she returned to the US and spent over a decade working in-house for large and small companies, including franchises, in a real estate leasing capacity, as well as in the mortgage and title industries. In private practice since 2019, Jenna is passionate about advocacy and protection for her clients’ rights, working collaboratively towards problem prevention, and solution, when necessary.

Tips for filling out form CIV-151

When completing form CIV-151, pay special attention to these less obvious sections:

Item 3

Detail Scope

Be specific when describing the limited scope services you provided. Refer back to the Notice of Limited Scope Representation (CIV-150) to ensure consistency. List all tasks you completed to confirm the termination of your responsibility.
Item 4

Confirm Completion

Clearly state that all tasks within the agreed scope have been completed. Double-check any court-ordered actions to make sure nothing is pending that could affect the court's decision.
Item 7a

Service Method

Make sure you mark the correct service method between mail or personal delivery. This affects the response time for the other party and is crucial for determining compliance with procedural requirements.
Notice to Party

Objection Timeline

Explain to the party receiving the notice the importance of the timeline for objecting (15 days for personal delivery and 20 for mail). Failing to act within this period means the attorney's request will likely be granted without further input from the party.

What to do after filing form CIV-151

1
Verify the date the application was served on the party to ensure the timelines for objections are correctly calculated.
2
Wait for up to 15 calendar days (or 20 days if served by mail) for the party to file an Objection to Application to Be Relieved as Attorney (form CIV-152) with the court.
3
If no objection is received after the waiting period, check with the court or access the court's online case information system to confirm that the motion to be relieved as counsel has been granted.
4
If the court grants the request to be relieved as attorney, ensure to update any necessary records to reflect the termination of your representation in the case.
5
If an objection is filed, prepare to attend a hearing where the court will decide whether the attorney can be relieved before the completion of agreed tasks.
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