Allen Stanford's criminal attorney won't be allowed to withdraw just yet, a federal judge in Texas said on Tuesday, even though another law firm has said it would represent the accused swindler.

Patton Boggs, a law firm based in Washington, D.C., issued a press statement on Friday that it would represent the Texas financier.

Dick DeGuerin, whose Houston-based law firm was helping Stanford defend himself against charges he led a $7 billion fraud, filed a motion to withdraw from the case on Friday, after he was notified someone else was taking the case.

But so far, no one from Patton Boggs has filed a notice of appearance, in what appears to be a battle for compensation. Stanford's assets were frozen by a court-appointed receiver in February and his lawyers have not yet been paid.

In his motion to withdraw, DeGuerin said he had sought assurances regarding future legal fees and expenses and had not received them.

So now, U.S. District Judge David Hittner in Houston said he will only consider DeGuerin's motion when another lawyer signs onto the case.

A spokeswoman for the public relations firm representing Patton Boggs in the matter said it had no comment on the ruling.

The case, USA v Stanford et al 4:09-cr-00342 is filed in federal court in Houston.