Rule 2.117.Appearances

Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2.117 defines how a party or attorney formally enters a Michigan lawsuit, explains what filing an appearance does and does not do, and sets out how long an attorney's appearance lasts and how it can end.

Full Text of Rule 2.117

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

(A) Appearance by Party.

(1) A party may appear in an action by filing a notice to that effect or by physically appearing before the court for that purpose. In the latter event, the party must promptly file a written appearance and serve it on all persons entitled to service. A written appearance must comply with the caption requirements in MCR 1.109(D)(1)(b).

(2) Filing an appearance without taking any other action toward prosecution or defense of the action neither confers nor enlarges the jurisdiction of the court over the party. An appearance entitles a party to be served with all documents as provided by MCR 2.107(A). In all other respects, the party is treated as if the appearance had not been filed.

(B) Appearance by Attorney.

(1) In General. An attorney may appear by an act indicating that the attorney represents a party in the action. An appearance by an attorney for a party is deemed an appearance by the party. Unless a particular rule indicates otherwise, any act required to be performed by a party may be performed by the attorney representing the party.

(2) Notice of Appearance.

(a) If an appearance is made in a manner not involving the filing of a document with the court, the attorney must promptly file a written appearance and serve it on the parties entitled to service. The written appearance must comply with the caption requirements in MCR 1.109(D)(1)(b).

(b) If an attorney files an appearance, but takes no other action toward prosecution or defense of the action, the appearance entitles the attorney to be served with all documents as provided by MCR 2.107(A).

(c) Pursuant to MRPC 1.2(b), a party to a civil action may appear through an attorney for limited purposes during the course of an action, including, but not limited to, depositions, hearings, discovery, and motion practice, if the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) The attorney files and serves a notice of limited appearance with the court before or during the relevant action or proceeding, and all parties of record are served with the limited entry of appearance; and

(ii) The notice of limited appearance identifies the limitation of the scope by date, time period, and/or subject matter.

(d) An attorney who has filed a notice of limited appearance must restrict activities in accordance with the notice or any amended limited appearance. Should an attorney’s representation exceed the scope of the limited appearance, opposing counsel (by motion), or the court (by order to show cause), may set a hearing to establish the actual scope of the representation.

(3) Appearance by Appointing Authority.

(a) In some actions, an appointing authority independent of the judiciary determines the attorney that will represent a party for the entirety of the action. In some actions, an appointing authority independent of the judiciary determines that an attorney will represent a party for a single hearing-like an arraignment.

(b) In actions where an attorney is appointed for the entirety of the action, the appointed attorney shall file an appearance with the court.

(c) In actions where an attorney is appointed for a single hearing, the attorney should orally inform the court of the limited appointment at the time of the hearing. It is not necessary for the appointing authority to file a notice of appointment or for the attorney to file an appearance.

(4) Appearance by Law Firm.

(a) A pleading, appearance, motion, or other document filed by a law firm on behalf of a client is deemed the appearance of the individual attorney first filing a document in the action. All notices required by these rules may be served on that individual. That attorney’s appearance continues until an order of substitution or withdrawal is entered, or a confirming notice of withdrawal of a notice of limited appearance is filed as provided by subrule (C)(3). This subrule is not intended to prohibit other attorneys in the law firm from appearing in the action on behalf of the party.

(b) The appearance of an attorney is deemed to be the appearance of every member of the law firm. Any attorney in the firm may be required by the court to conduct a court ordered conference or trial.

(1) Unless otherwise stated or ordered by the court, an attorney's appearance applies only in the court in which it is made, or to which the action is transferred, until a final judgment or final order is entered disposing of all claims by or against the party whom the attorney represents and the time for appeal of right has passed. The appearance applies in an appeal taken before entry of final judgment or final order by the trial court.

(2) Unless otherwise stated in this rule, an attorney who has entered an appearance may withdraw from the action or be substituted for only on order of the court.

(3) In appointed cases, substitute counsel shall file an appearance with the court after receiving the assignment from the appointing authority.

(4) An attorney who has filed a notice of limited appearance pursuant to MCR 2.117(B)(2)(c) and MRPC 1.2(b) may withdraw by filing a notice of withdrawal from limited appearance with the court, served on all parties of record, stating that the attorney’s limited representation has concluded and the attorney has taken all actions necessitated by the limited representation, and providing to the court a current service address and telephone number for the self-represented litigant. If the notice of withdrawal from limited appearance is signed by the client, it shall be effective immediately upon filing and service. If it is not signed by the client, it shall become effective 14 days after filing and service, unless the self-represented client files and serves a written objection to the withdrawal on the grounds that the attorney did not complete the agreed upon services.

(D) Nonappearance of Attorney Assisting in Document Preparation. An attorney who assists in the preparation of pleadings or other documents without signing them, as authorized in MRPC 1.2(b), has not filed an appearance and shall not be deemed to have done so. This provision shall not be construed to prevent the court from investigating issues concerning the preparation of such a document.

(E) Service of Documents After Removal of Appearance. If an attorney has filed a limited appearance or the attorney is removed from the case for any other reason, the attorney shall not continue to be served with documents in the case after the limited appearance ends or after an order is entered removing the attorney from the case.

End

Amendment History

Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.

Plain-English Summary

A party can appear in a Michigan case by filing a notice, or by physically showing up in court and then promptly filing a written appearance afterward. Either way, appearing does not hand the court any new power over that party; it only means the party is now entitled to be served with everything filed later in the case. An attorney can appear the same way, and almost any act showing that the attorney represents a party counts as an appearance, whether or not any form gets filed. A lawyer can also take on a case for a limited slice of it — a deposition, a single hearing, a motion — under a notice of limited appearance that spells out the scope by date, time period, or subject matter; going beyond that scope can prompt the court or opposing counsel to ask for a hearing on what the representation covers.

An attorney appointed to handle a whole case must file an appearance; one appointed for a single hearing can tell the court about it there, with no filing required. When a law firm files something on a client's behalf, the individual attorney who filed it first is treated as the one who appeared, and that attorney keeps that role until final judgment disposes of all claims and the time for appeal of right has passed; before then, the role ends only by a court order granting substitution or withdrawal, or by a confirmed notice ending a limited appearance. A withdrawal from a limited appearance takes effect immediately if the client signs it, or after 14 days if the client doesn't, unless the client objects that the promised work isn't finished. Once an attorney is out of the case, they stop being served with documents in it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between appearing in person and appearing through a lawyer?

Either works under Rule 2.117. A party who shows up in court personally must promptly follow up with a written appearance; an attorney can appear through almost any act that shows they represent the party, with no special form required.

Does filing an appearance waive my objections to jurisdiction or service?

No. Rule 2.117 says an appearance doesn't confer or enlarge the court's jurisdiction over a party, so filing one does not by itself waive defenses like improper service.

Can a lawyer represent me for just part of my case?

Yes, through a notice of limited appearance that spells out the scope by date, time period, or subject matter, consistent with the rules on limited-scope representation.

How does an attorney's appearance in a case end?

It runs until final judgment disposes of all claims and the time for appeal of right has passed. Before then it ends only by court order granting substitution or withdrawal, or, for a limited appearance, by filing a notice of withdrawal once the limited work is done; the withdrawal takes effect right away if the client signs it, or after 14 days if not, unless the client objects.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.117). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: appearance in a Michigan lawsuitlimited-scope representation Michigannotice of appearance Michigan courthow to withdraw as attorney Michiganunbundled legal services Michigan