A defendant in a district court proceeding in which the claim is within the jurisdictional amount for the small claims department may in accordance with court rules transfer the action to the small claims department. In the event of such a transfer the provisions of RCW
12.40.070 shall not be applicable if the plaintiff was an assignee of the claim at the time the action was commenced nor shall the provisions of RCW
12.40.080 prohibit an attorney from representing the plaintiff if he or she was the attorney of record for the plaintiff at the time the action was commenced.