Hiring Co-Counsel (California)

If you already have an attorney of record in the proceeding and you wish to bring in another attorney of record, the present attorney need only file a notice of association of counsel. That notice is filed with the court and served on the opposition. If you are bringing in another attorney that will not become an attorney of record, no notice is required and opposing counsel nor the court need be informed. However, if you want that second attorney to be able to make appearances in court or deal with opposing counsel, he or she will have to become an attorney of record as described in the preceding paragraph. Good luck to you.

There is no Judicial Council (or local) "form". Your current counsel needs to prepare and file and serve a pleading called "Notice of Association of Counsel" which provides the associated counsel's name, bar number, and contact information.

If the assoc atty is to have active participation, your present atty must file a notice of association with the court and send a copy to opposing counsel. Make sure you have clear fee arrangements with the 2 attys.