1. (a) If at any time in proceedings before the office, a party or intervenor wishes to change the individual who will serve as their representative:

   1. (1) The new representative shall file an appearance; and
   2. (2) The individual whom the person wishes to replace as their representative shall file a motion to withdraw their appearance, stating therein the representative’s reasons for withdrawal.

2. (b) The withdrawal of an appearance may be made without a motion to withdraw if:

   1. (1) An appearance by another individual is on file for the party or intervenor represented;
   2. (2) No motions are pending; and
   3. (3) No adjudicative proceedings, hearings, or conferences are scheduled;
3. (c) In circumstances other than those described in (b) above, an appearance may be withdrawn only upon motion granted by the ombudsman.

4. (d) The ombudsman shall grant a motion to withdraw an appearance if:

   1. (1) An appearance by another individual is on file for the represented person; and

   2. (2) The ombudsman concludes that:

      1. a. Granting the motion would not in itself result in a delay of the proceedings;
      2. b. It does not appear that irreparable harm would occur to any other party or intervenor if the motion to withdraw were granted; and

      3. c. The grounds for withdrawal given in the representative’s motion are either:

         1. 1. Not of such a nature that they appear to be the result of an effort to interfere with the efficient resolution of the case; or
         2. 2. Of such a nature that they would be likely to result in the more efficient resolution of the case.

Source. #13921, eff 5-20-24