An attorney may exercise his right to represent himself in a breach of contract and legal malpractice lawsuit because the plaintiff failed to give any compelling reason against it, a state appeals court has ruled.

“An attorney, like any other litigant, has the right, both constitutional and statutory, to self-representation,” wrote an Appellate Division, Second Department, panel in Herczl v. Feinsilver, 504440/13.

“Although the right is not absolute, any restriction on it must be carefully scrutinized. Here, the plaintiff failed to demonstrate any compelling reason why Feinsilver should not be allowed,” the panel wrote, citing Old Saratoga Sq. Partnership v. Compton, 19 A.D.3d 823; Walker & Bailey v. We Try Harder, 123 A.D.2d 256; and Oppenheim v Azriliant, 89 A.D.2d 522.