Judge: Anne Hwang, Case: 23STCV12034, Date: 2024-08-21 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV12034    Hearing Date: August 21, 2024    Dept: 32

PLEASE NOTE:   Parties are encouraged to meet and confer concerning this tentative ruling to determine if a resolution may be reached.  If the parties are unable to reach a resolution and a party intends to submit on this tentative ruling, the party must send an email to the Court at sscdept32@lacourt.org indicating that party’s intention to submit.  The email shall include the case number, date and time of the hearing, counsel’s contact information (if applicable), and the identity of the party submitting on this tentative ruling.  If the Court does not receive an email indicating the parties are submitting on this tentative ruling and there are no appearances at the hearing, the Court may place the motion off calendar or adopt the tentative ruling as the order of the Court.  If all parties do not submit on this tentative ruling, they should arrange to appear in-person or remotely.  Further, after the Court has posted/issued a tentative ruling, the Court has the inherent authority to prohibit the withdrawal of the subject motion and adopt the tentative ruling as the order of the Court. 

TENTATIVE RULING

BACKGROUND

            Defendant Bird Rides, Inc.’s (Defendant) counsel of record, Jillian E. Stanley (Counsel), moves to be relieved as counsel for Defendant. Counsel contends relief is necessary due to Defendant filing a Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and being unable to compensate Counsel.

            No opposition has been filed for this motion.

LEGAL STANDARD

To be granted relief as counsel, counsel must comply with California Rules of Court (CRC) 3.1362. Even where grounds for termination exist, attorneys seeking to withdraw must comply with the procedures set forth in California Rule of Professional Conduct (CRPC) 3.700 and are subject to discipline for failure to do so. CRPC 3.700(B) lists various grounds for mandatory withdrawal. 

An attorney's right to terminate the attorney-client relationship and withdraw from a case is not absolute. (See Vann v. Shilleh (1975) 54 Cal.App.3d 192, 197; People v. Prince (1968) 268 Cal.App.2d 398.) The decision whether to grant or deny an application for withdrawal is within the court's discretion, and it does not abuse that discretion by denying the application on the ground that the attorney's withdrawal would work injustice upon a third party. (Hodcarriers, Bldg. and Common Laborers Local Union No. 89 v. Miller (1966) 243 Cal.App.2d 391.)

The rules have been liberally construed to protect clients. (Vann v. Shilleh, supra, 54 Cal.App.3d 192.) An attorney, either with client's consent or court's approval, may withdraw from a case when withdrawal can be accomplished without undue prejudice to client's interests; however, an attorney “shall not withdraw from employment until the member has taken reasonable steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable prejudice to the rights of the client, including giving due notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, complying with rule 3-700(D), and complying with applicable laws and rules.” (CRPC 3.700(A)(2).) A lawyer violates his or her ethical mandate by abandoning a client (Pineda v. State Bar (1989) 49 Cal.3d 753, 758 759), or by withdrawing at a critical point and thereby prejudicing the client’s case. (CRPC 3.700(A)(2); Vann v. Shilleh, supra.)

DISCUSSION

            Counsel has filed forms MC-051 and MC-052 and has lodged with the Court a copy of the proposed order on form MC-053 as required.  (Cal Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.)  Counsel states the instant motion is filed for the following reason: “I, Jillian E. Stanley, am current counsel of record for defendant Bird Rides, Inc. On December 20, 2023, Bird Rides, Inc. filed a Voluntary Chapter 11 Petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, thereby commencing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case that is jointly administered under lead Case No. 23-bk-20514-LMI. By virtue of its bankruptcy filing, Bird Rides, Inc.'s property is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. Bird Rides, Inc.'s bankruptcy case has not been dismissed. As a result, my law firm and I can no longer represent and perform uncompensated legal work for the Bird Rides, Inc. Bird Rides, Inc. consents to the withdrawal, but does not currently have counsel to substitute.” (MC-052.)

Counsel does not explain what “uncompensated legal work” is anticipated, given that the matter is stayed as to Bird Rides, Inc. Permitting withdrawal will leave Defendant, a corporation, unrepresented. (Vann v. Shilleh (1975) 54 Cal.App.3d 192, 199 [“A corporation cannot represent itself in court, either in propria persona or through an officer or agent who is not an attorney.”].) The Court finds that counsel has not sufficiently set forth grounds to withdraw.

 Accordingly, the motion to be relieved is denied.

The Court advances and vacates the October 10, 2024 status conference re bankruptcy and sets the matter for an Order to Show Cause re whether Plaintiff will be seeking relief from automatic stay/ Trial Setting Conference re remaining Defendant for December 9, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 32 of the Spring Street Courthouse.

Counsel for Defendant shall give notice and file a proof of service of such.