Not sure in NC, but I am sure it will be something like this::
No, an attorney cannot simply abandon the client in such a situation. However, the attorney can file a motion with the court to be relieved as counsel. (Your facts don’t indicate if this happened).
If the attorney did not file a motion to withdrawal as counsel of record, then the client should report the abandonment to the State Bar of California:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/LawyerRegulation/FilingaComplaint.aspx
Here is the complaint form:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/Regulation/2012-09_ComplaintForm-Instructions.pdf
Frank W. Chen has been licensed to practice law in California since 1988. The information presented here is general in nature and is not intended, nor should be construed, as legal advice for a particular case. This Avvo.com posting does not create any attorney-client relationship with the author. For specific advice about your particular situation, please consult with your own attorney.
Official NC STate Bar form:
http://www.ncbar.com/PDFs/22.pdf
and the State Bar themselves.
http://www.ncbar.com/resources/forms.asp
I would throw in the part that the Attorney General has not Filed a Motion to WITHDRAW as ATTORNEY FOR THE CITIZENS OF NC, which means HE HAS NOT RESIGNED FROM OFFICE. in there for sure.