Rule 4. ATTORNEYS APPEARANCE, WITHDRAWAL AND DUTIES · Last amended 2024 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4.13 requires a Georgia attorney offering limited-scope representation in a superior court case to file a separate notice stating the purpose and duration of that limited role, and to file a closing notice within five days after the representation ends, or else remain attorney of record until formally allowed to withdraw.
Full Text of Rule 4.13
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No attorney shall enter into limited representation of a party in a superior court without first notifying the court and the opposing party of the limitations of the appearance by filing a separate entry titled “Limited Appearance.” This notice must comply with Rule 4.2 of these rules and must further state the limited purpose and duration of the appearance. Within five days of the conclusion of the limited appearance, the attorney shall file a notice declaring that their limited representation has ended which includes the client’s last known mailing and electronic address and the attorney shall serve a copy of the notice on their client, opposing counsel (or parties if unrepresented), and the assigned judge.
Absent notice of the limitation of representation with respect to purpose and duration, the attorney shall not be relieved as attorney of record until the grant of a motion to withdraw compliant with Rule 4.3 of these rules.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 4.13 gives Georgia attorneys a way to help a client with less than full-scope representation, but it makes that limit visible to everyone involved. Before taking on a limited role, the attorney must file a separate entry titled “Limited Appearance” that meets the same requirements as an ordinary entry of appearance under Rule 4.2, and must also spell out the purpose and duration of the limited role — what the lawyer is handling, and for how long. Skip that initial notice, and the consequences are steep: an attorney who never files it to establish the limitation stays attorney of record for the entire case, and can only be relieved through a full motion to withdraw under Rule 4.3.
The limitation also has a matching exit. Within five days after the limited representation ends, the attorney must file a notice declaring the work is done, list the client’s last known mailing and electronic address, and serve copies on the client, opposing counsel or any unrepresented parties, and the assigned judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must an attorney file before taking on a limited appearance in a case?
A separate entry titled “Limited Appearance” that complies with Rule 4.2 and states the limited purpose and duration of the representation.
What happens when the limited representation is finished?
Within five days, the attorney must file a notice declaring that the limited representation has ended, including the client’s last known mailing and electronic address, and serve it on the client, opposing counsel or unrepresented parties, and the assigned judge.
What if an attorney never files notice of the limitation on their representation?
The attorney is not relieved as attorney of record and remains on the case until a motion to withdraw compliant with Rule 4.3 is granted.
Does a Limited Appearance notice have to meet the same requirements as a regular entry of appearance?
Does filing the initial Limited Appearance notice by itself end the representation once the limited task is done?
No. It sets the scope at the outset; ending the representation still requires the separate notice filed within five days after the limited work concludes.
Amendment History
Adopted effective February 25, 2021; amended effective February 29, 2024.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:georgia limited scope representation ruleUSCR 4.13 limited appearancelimited appearance notice georgia superior courtunbundled legal services georgia court ruleending a limited appearance georgia attorney