Local Rule RULE 9010-2: APPEARANCES AS ATTORNEY FOR THE DEBTOR
Bankr. D. Mass. — Attorney rule
RULE 9010-2. APPEARANCES AS COUNSEL TOATTORNEY FOR THE DEBTOR
(a) Absent an appearance pursuant to MLBR 9010-2(b)(1) or withdrawal pursuant to MLBR 9010-3, an attorney representing a debtor in a bankruptcy case must represent the debtor in all aspects of the main case, including motions and contested matters, and in any adversary proceeding relating to the debtor's discharge and/or the dischargeability of any debt. The attorney shall also represent the debtor in any other adversary proceeding in which the debtor is a named defendant, unless the debtor expressly agrees otherwise in writing at the commencement of the representation and such agreement is noted on the attorney's initial disclosure under Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2016(b). Any 2016(b) disclosure and/or agreement between the attorney and the debtor at variance with this Rule shall be deemed void and of no force and effect.
(b) (1) An attorney representing, without compensation, an otherwise pro se debtor may file a notice of limited appearance setting forth the specific contested matter or adversary proceeding in which the attorney appears and may decline representation of that debtor in other matters or proceedings, except as set forth in (b)(2) of this Rule, but may not withdraw without leave of the Court from the matter or proceeding in which the attorney has chosen to appear until the final disposition thereof.
(2) An attorney who chooses to file a general appearance for an otherwise pro se debtor, without compensation, shall not thereby be required to represent the debtor in any adversary proceeding other than with respect to discharge or the dischargeability of debt.
(c) To facilitate any efforts at mediation in a contested matter or adversary proceeding involving an otherwise pro se debtor, an attorney may appear without compensation to advocate for the debtor in the mediation, and solely for purposes of the mediation. If the mediation is unsuccessful in concluding the matter at issue, the attorney shall promptly make an election within 14 days of the conclusion of the mediation to (i) withdraw the appearance for mediation purposes, by filing a notice of withdrawal, or (ii) file a further notice of appearance in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this Rule.