"I suggested they wait until they retained a lawyer before disclosing any additional information because there was civil and criminal matters at stake," he said.

Isenberg said he was hired by the church to help members get lawyers to represent them. At Thursday's hearing, he said he was assisting Futrell in putting on his case.

Malonis also pointed out an attorney whom she said had been hired to represent Lloyd Barlow, an indicted FLDS man, conferring with Isenberg and Futrell during a break.

Teresa Jeffs is alleged to have been married at age 15 to a man who has already been indicted by a grand jury on sexual assault and bigamy charges. A CPS caseworker testified Thursday she is one of Raymond Jessop's nine wives. Teresa Jeffs has repeatedly insisted in news media interviews and Internet postings she is not a sex abuse victim.

When two Texas courts ordered the hundreds of children taken in the raid on the YFZ Ranch returned, Jeffs was exempted. Malonis sought special protections for her, something she testified that Jeffs' mother, Annette, agreed to.

At this point in CPS' investigation, six other families have since had restrictions limiting their visits to the YFZ Ranch and their contacts with their fathers, CPS investigator Angie Voss told the court.

"Our investigation has found 48 percent of men at the ranch are involved in underage marriage practices," she testified.

Futrell's side sought to show that Malonis' relationship with Jeffs was damaged ever since those special restrictions were put in place against Teresa's wishes, pointing to a terse conversation the two had in May. Malonis also later obtained a restraining order against FLDS member and spokesman Willie Jessop.

"Counsel talks about an appearance of conflict. Conflict in this case is sitting to my left," Isenberg said in his closing statements, referring to Malonis. "She has a duty to zealously advocate for her clients."

That is something Malonis has done, attorneys for CPS and the Court Appointed Specialty Advocates argued to the judge.

"Even from the beginning, she found a creative way for Teresa to go home to be with her mother while protecting her," said CASA's Connie Gauwain. "She has taken a lot of hard knocks, personal hard knocks, but she still hangs in there."

Walther met with Teresa Jeffs for about an hour behind closed doors. Jeffs left the meeting appearing calm, but saying nothing.

Malonis said she believes her relationship with her client can be salvaged.

"Absolutely," she said. "I still have a working relationship with her."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com