Rule 2-131. Appearance

(a) By an Attorney or in Proper Person Except as otherwise provided by rule or statute: (1) an individual may enter an appearance by an attorney or in proper person and (2) a person other than an individual may enter an appearance only by an attorney.

(b) Limited Appearance

(1) Notice of Appearance An attorney, acting pursuant to an agreement with a client for limited representation that complies with Rule 19-301.2 (c) of the Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct, may enter an appearance limited to participation in a discrete matter or judicial proceeding. The notice of appearance (A) shall be accompanied by an Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation substantially in the form specified in subsection (b)(2) of this Rule and signed by the client, and (B) shall specify the scope of the limited appearance, which (i) shall not exceed the scope set forth in the Acknowledgment but (ii) unless otherwise ordered by the court, shall include the performance of any procedural task required by law to achieve the objective of the appearance.

Committee note: Although the scope of a limited representation is largely a matter of contract between the attorney and the client, if there are procedural requirements necessary to the achievement of the objective agreed upon, a limited appearance, unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause, must include satisfaction of those requirements, and the Acknowledgment must include that commitment. As examples, (1) if the appearance is limited to filing and pursuing a motion for summary judgment and achievement of that objective requires the filing of affidavits, the attorney is responsible for assuring that the affidavits are prepared, that they are in proper form, and that they are properly filed; (2) if the appearance is limited to obtaining child support for the client, the attorney is responsible for assuring that any financial statements, child support guideline worksheets, and other documents necessary to obtaining the requested order are prepared, are in proper form, and are properly filed.

(2) Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation The Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation shall be substantially in the following form:

[CAPTION]

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SCOPE OF LIMITED REPRESENTATION

I have entered into a written agreement with the above-named attorney. I understand that the attorney will represent me for the following limited purposes (check all that apply):

​ Attending a pretrial conference.

​ Attending a settlement conference.

I understand that except for the legal services specified above, I am fully responsible for handling my case, including complying with court Rules and deadlines. I understand further that during the course of the limited representation, the court may discontinue sending court notices to me and may send all court notices only to my limited representation attorney. If the court discontinues sending notice to me, I understand that although my limited representation attorney is responsible for forwarding to me court notices pertaining to matters outside the scope of the limited representation, I remain responsible for keeping informed about my case.

Committee note: The entry of a limited appearance in accordance with this Rule does not constitute the entry of an appearance for the purpose of bringing, prosecuting, or defending an action and does not require the payment of a fee under Code, Courts Article, § 7-204.

(c) How Entered Except as otherwise provided in section (b) of this Rule, an appearance may be entered by filing a pleading or motion or by filing a written notice of appearance.

(d) Effect The entry of an appearance is not a waiver of the right to assert any defense in accordance with these rules. Special appearances are abolished.

Committee Notes

Cross reference: See Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 19-301.2, Comment 8. For striking of an attorney's limited appearance, see Rule 2-132 (a). Cross reference: See Rules 1-311, 1-312, and 1-313; Rules 19-214, 19-215, and 19-216 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar. See also Rule 1-202 (v) for the definition of “person.” Source: This Rule is in part derived from former Rule 124 and in part new.