Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New York
Muliple Independent Counsel
In a civil suit, is the defendant allowed to hire more than one firm to defend it ?
If yes , is there any law that requires firms to collaborate, or can the plaintiff be burdened by multiple discovery demands etc ?
What ,if any section of CPLR governs this ?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Muliple Independent Counsel
A party may be represented by only one attorney at a time in a cause of action. Support counsel to assist that attorney are not of record.
Re: Muliple Independent Counsel
Q. In a civil suit, is the defendant allowed to hire more than one firm to defend it.
A. Yes. This is especially true of large corporate defendants that may have general counsel and needs local counsel for a lawsuit.
Q. can the plaintiff be burdened by multiple discovery demands etc ?
A. No. The plaintiff would answer only to the attorney of record with the court.
Mike