Withdrawal of attorneys

1. Before the issuance of a notice of hearing, an attorney may withdraw an appearance for a party by filing a notice of withdrawal with the agency and, if the proceeding has been assigned to a hearing officer outside the agency, with the hearing officer. The notice must also be served upon the party at the party's last reasonably ascertainable post-office address. 2. After the issuance of a notice of hearing, an attorney may withdraw an appearance for a party only upon leave of the presiding hearing officer. To withdraw an appearance under this subsection, an attorney must give reasonable written notice of the time and place for presentation of a motion for leave to withdraw by personally serving on the party or by mailing to the party, using any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, addressed to the party at the party's last reasonably ascertainable post-office address, a copy of the notice and motion. The attorney must also file the notice and motion with the presiding hearing officer. All motions for leave to withdraw will be decided on briefs unless oral argument is specifically requested. The hearing officer may allow or require oral argument or testimony on the motion. All briefs must be filed with the hearing officer no later than the time noticed for presentation of the motion, unless, prior to that time, the hearing officer grants an extension of time for filing briefs. If oral argument or testimony is allowed or required, the hearing officer may hear it by telephone conference at the time noticed for presentation of the motion or at another time as may be scheduled by the hearing officer.