Judge: Andrew E. Cooper, Case: 23CHCV01934, Date: 2023-12-21 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23CHCV01934    Hearing Date: December 21, 2023    Dept: F51

MOTION TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL

Motion filed: 11/14/23 

MOVING ATTORNEYS: Geoffrey P. Norton and Robert Gravich (“Counsel”)

CLIENT: Plaintiff Racha Khouri (“Plaintiff”)

NOTICE: OK

RELIEF REQUESTED: An order relieving Counsel as attorneys of record for Plaintiff. 

TENTATIVE RULING: The motion is granted.

Counsel filed this motion to be relieved as counsel for Plaintiff on 11/14/23. Counsel served their client by mail, and has filed a declaration stating that the client’s mailing address was verified by public database search. (Decl. of Robert Gravich, ¶ 3b.) Counsel also filed a proof of service showing that the requisite documents were served on Plaintiff on 11/14/23. No other parties have appeared in the action.

Counsel properly filed an accompanying notice of the motion using Judicial Council form MC-051, a declaration in support of their motion using form MC-052, and a proposed order granting the motion using form MC-053. In the MC-052 declaration, Counsel a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship such that Counsel must withdraw from representation of Plaintiff. (Gravich Decl., ¶ 2.) The next hearing date in this action is a case management conference, set for 12/21/23, the same date as the instant hearing. No trial date has been set. Therefore, Counsel’s withdrawal does not raise the risk of unduly prejudicing their client.

Accordingly, the statutory requirements for the motion have been satisfied, and Counsel’s motion to be relieved as counsel for Plaintiff is GRANTED.

The Court is not requesting oral argument on this matter.  Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1308(a)(1) notice of intent to appear is required.  Unless the Court directs argument in the Tentative Ruling, no argument will be permitted unless a “party notifies all other parties and the court by 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing of the party’s intention to appear and argue.  “The tentative ruling will become the ruling of the court if no notice of intent to appear is received.”  

Notice may be given either by email at CHAdeptF51@LACourt.org or by telephone at (818) 407-2233.