12th lawyer out for NBA star Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife in divorce, custody battle
BY LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporter ldonovan@suntimes.com July 16, 2012 3:46PM
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, the former wife of NBA star Dwayne Wade in the Daley Center building for court. Monday July 5, 2012 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times
Updated: August 18, 2012 6:19AM
A judge agreed Monday to allow a lawyer for Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife to remove himself from her protracted divorce and child-custody battle with the NBA star. Attorney Michael Haber had been the 12th lawyer to represent Siohvaughn Funches-Wade in the high-profile case. Haber cited a “lack of communication” with Funches-Wade and said they were “unable to resolve significant issues regarding the representation,” according to a court filing last week.
“I have never had a lawyer come in here and say they have an obligation to withdraw from the case,” said Nega, who has been on the bench more than 20 years. The judge said most lawyers want off cases because they are not getting paid. She said she had never heard an attorney back off because they believe a “strong ethical violation” exists. The judge asked Funches-Wade whether she was prepared to find attorney No. 13. Funches-Wade replied: “Yes, ma’am.” Haber said during the brief hearing that he planned to help the transition to new legal counsel and had no intention of “leaving Mrs. Wade high and dry.” Haber was the longest-serving among the dozen attorneys who have represented her as the protracted court battle has played out between Funches-Wade and her ex-husband, the star guard for the Miami Heat. He’s from Robbins and played for Richards High School and Marquette University. Their divorce was finalized in 2010. A year later, Wade was given sole custody of his two sons. Funches-Wade was granted visitation rights. Funches-Wade left the courtroom without comment. For now, she can visit the children in Miami only, rather than having them come to Chicago for visits.
