Rule 222.Attorneys as Witnesses.

Adopted September 8, 1938 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 222 provides that when an attorney serving as trial counsel is called as a witness for the client the attorney represents, the court may decide whether that attorney may continue to act as trial counsel for the rest of the trial.

Full Text of Rule 222

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Where any attorney acting as trial counsel in the trial of an action is called as a witness on behalf of a party whom the attorney represents, the court may determine whether such attorney may thereafter continue to act as trial counsel during the remainder of the trial.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule addresses the lawyer who becomes a witness. When an attorney acting as trial counsel is called to testify on behalf of the client the attorney represents, a question arises about whether the lawyer should keep trying the case.

The rule leaves that to the court. It may determine whether the attorney may continue to act as trial counsel during the remainder of the trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a trial lawyer also testify as a witness?

When trial counsel is called as a witness for their own client, the court may decide whether that attorney may continue to act as trial counsel for the rest of the trial.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 222 adopted September 8, 1938, effective March 20, 1939; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234000) to (234001).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: attorney as witnesslawyer witnesstrial counsel testifying