7 FSM Intrm. 385-387

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Cite as Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n ,

7 FSM Intrm. 385 (Pohnpei 1996)

[7 FSM Intrm. 385]

TRIPLE J ENTERPRISES,

Plaintiff,

vs.

KOLONIA CONSUMER

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION,

Defendant.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1995-117

ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

Martin Yinug

Associate Justice

Decided: February 9, 1996

APPEARANCES:

For the Plaintiff: Ron Moroni, Esq.

P.O. Box 1618

Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941

For the Defendant: Delson Ehmes, Esq.

P.O. Box 1018

Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941

[7 FSM Intrm. 386]

* * * *

HEADNOTES

Attorney, Trial Counselor and Client ) Disqualification of Counsel

Although an attorney is competent to testify as a witness on behalf of a client, testimony by an attorney representing a party, except in limited circumstances, creates a conflict of interest. An attorney under such a conflict has an ethical duty to withdraw from representation, except in limited cases, including where disqualification would cause an undue hardship to the client. Determining whether a conflict exists is primarily the responsibility of the lawyer involved. Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n, 7 FSM Intrm. 385, 386 (Pon. 1996).

Attorney, Trial Counselor and Client

While it may be unethical for an attorney to testify at a trial in which he is an advocate, no actual conflict exists when the attorney has not yet been called to testify and the case may be resolved without a trial. Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n, 7 FSM Intrm. 385, 386 (Pon. 1996).

* * * *

COURT'S OPINION

MARTIN YINUG, Associate Justice:

On November 20, 1995, the plaintiff, Triple J Enterprises, Inc., ("Triple J") filed a Motion for an Order that Delson Ehmes Withdraw as Counsel for KCCA. Triple J claimed that it may call Mr. Ehmes as a witness, placing him in a conflict of interest with his client, KCCA.1 KCCA timely opposed the motion on the grounds that ordering Mr. Ehmes to withdraw as counsel would work an undue hardship on KCCA.

Generally, an attorney is competent to testify as a witness on behalf of a client. 81 Am. Jur. 2d Witnesses § 225, at 225 (1992). But testimony by an attorney representing a party, except in limited circumstances, creates a conflict of interest. FSM MRPC 3.7(a). An attorney under such a conflict has an ethical duty to withdraw from representation, except in limited cases, including where disqualification would cause an undue hardship to the client. FSM MRPC 3.7(a)(3). Determining whether a conflict exists is primarily the responsibility of the lawyer involved. FSM MRPC 3.7, 1.7 cmts. The obligation to identify the conflict and withdraw from representation is, in the first instance, on Mr. Ehmes, the attorney who may have a conflict.

Model Rule 3.7 says that it may be unethical for an attorney to testify at a trial in which he is an advocate. No trial is scheduled in this action. Triple J claims it needs to depose Mr. Ehmes, but has yet to notice his deposition. Moreover, Triple J has moved, on the same day it moved herein, for summary judgment, taking the position that no trial or discovery is necessary.

The Motion for Delson Ehmes to Withdraw as Counsel for KCCA is denied without prejudice. There is no actual conflict of interest because Mr. Ehmes has not been called to testify. The Court is

[7 FSM Intrm. 387]

aware that there is a potential conflict of interest. Should Mr. Ehmes be called to testify, he is under an ethical obligation to resolve his conflict of interest. Triple J may object if Mr. Ehmes's actual conflict may prejudice its own rights in the litigation.

The motion is denied, without prejudice.

* * * *

Footnote:

1. In this Motion, plaintiff's counsel signed two papers with incorrect captions. FSM Civil Rule 11 requires the attorney who signs a paper to read it before filing it. Plaintiff's counsel is admonished to read his papers more carefully, and to make corrections promptly.


	THE SUPREME COURT OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Cite as Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n , 7 FSM Intrm. 385 (Pohnpei 1996) [7 FSM Intrm. 385] TRIPLE J ENTERPRISES, Plaintiff, vs. KOLONIA CONSUMER COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, Defendant. CIVIL ACTION NO. 1995-117 ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Martin Yinug Associate Justice Decided: February 9, 1996 APPEARANCES: For the Plaintiff: Ron Moroni, Esq. P.O. Box 1618 Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 For the Defendant: Delson Ehmes, Esq. P.O. Box 1018 Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 [7 FSM Intrm. 386] * * * * HEADNOTES Attorney, Trial Counselor and Client ) Disqualification of Counsel Although an attorney is competent to testify as a witness on behalf of a client, testimony by an attorney representing a party, except in limited circumstances, creates a conflict of interest. An attorney under such a conflict has an ethical duty to withdraw from representation, except in limited cases, including where disqualification would cause an undue hardship to the client. Determining whether a conflict exists is primarily the responsibility of the lawyer involved. Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n, 7 FSM Intrm. 385, 386 (Pon. 1996). Attorney, Trial Counselor and Client While it may be unethical for an attorney to testify at a trial in which he is an advocate, no actual conflict exists when the attorney has not yet been called to testify and the case may be resolved without a trial. Triple J Enterprises v. Kolonia Consumer Coop. Ass'n, 7 FSM Intrm. 385, 386 (Pon. 1996). * * * * COURT'S OPINION MARTIN YINUG, Associate Justice: On November 20, 1995, the plaintiff, Triple J Enterprises, Inc., ("Triple J") filed a Motion for an Order that Delson Ehmes Withdraw as Counsel for KCCA. Triple J claimed that it may call Mr. Ehmes as a witness, placing him in a conflict of interest with his client, KCCA.1 KCCA timely opposed the motion on the grounds that ordering Mr. Ehmes to withdraw as counsel would work an undue hardship on KCCA. Generally, an attorney is competent to testify as a witness on behalf of a client. 81 Am. Jur. 2d Witnesses § 225, at 225 (1992). But testimony by an attorney representing a party, except in limited circumstances, creates a conflict of interest. FSM MRPC 3.7(a). An attorney under such a conflict has an ethical duty to withdraw from representation, except in limited cases, including where disqualification would cause an undue hardship to the client. FSM MRPC 3.7(a)(3). Determining whether a conflict exists is primarily the responsibility of the lawyer involved. FSM MRPC 3.7, 1.7 cmts. The obligation to identify the conflict and withdraw from representation is, in the first instance, on Mr. Ehmes, the attorney who may have a conflict. Model Rule 3.7 says that it may be unethical for an attorney to testify at a trial in which he is an advocate. No trial is scheduled in this action. Triple J claims it needs to depose Mr. Ehmes, but has yet to notice his deposition. Moreover, Triple J has moved, on the same day it moved herein, for summary judgment, taking the position that no trial or discovery is necessary. The Motion for Delson Ehmes to Withdraw as Counsel for KCCA is denied without prejudice. There is no actual conflict of interest because Mr. Ehmes has not been called to testify. The Court is [7 FSM Intrm. 387] aware that there is a potential conflict of interest. Should Mr. Ehmes be called to testify, he is under an ethical obligation to resolve his conflict of interest. Triple J may object if Mr. Ehmes's actual conflict may prejudice its own rights in the litigation. The motion is denied, without prejudice. * * * * Footnote: 1. In this Motion, plaintiff's counsel signed two papers with incorrect captions. FSM Civil Rule 11 requires the attorney who signs a paper to read it before filing it. Plaintiff's counsel is admonished to read his papers more carefully, and to make corrections promptly.