Judge: Cherol J. Nellon, Case: 24STCV17694, Date: 2025-01-30 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 24STCV17694    Hearing Date: January 30, 2025    Dept: 14

#6

Case Background

This is an action for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and unfair business practices. Plaintiffs allege that they were members of a non-profit organization, the People Who Care Youth Center (PWC), which suffered from financial problems. Plaintiffs allege that when they took out a loan from Defendants, Defendants’ bookkeeper manipulated ledgers to erase payments made by PWC to allow Defendant Danco to foreclose on properties owned by PWC.

On July 16, 2024, Plaintiffs Michelle Mcarn and Eric Radley filed their Complaint against Defendants Danco, Inc., Ronald Perlstein, Daniel Perlstein, and Iris Botega.

On December 30, 2024, Matthew Abbasi, counsel for Plaintiffs, filed this motion to be relieved as counsel.

Instant Pleading

Counsel for Plaintiffs, Matthew Abbasi, moves to be relieved as counsel for Plaintiffs.

Decision

The motion to be relieved as counsel filed by Counsel Matthew Abbasi will be granted once Counsel has filed an updated form MC-053 for each Plaintiff, effective upon the filing of the proof of service of the signed order upon the client.

Legal Standard

California Rules of Court Rule 3.1362 requires that counsel fill out forms MC-051, MC-052, and MC-053. These forms serve two basic functions: (1) ensuring that notice is given to the client and (2) providing the court with an adequate explanation of why the matter is being handled via motion rather than mutual consent. See Code of Civil Procedure § 284; California Rules of Court Rule 3.1362.

Discussion

Counsel completed the required forms. Those forms indicate that Counsel served Plaintiffs at their last known address which he confirmed was current via telephone, at least 30 days before the hearing on this matter. Counsel represents there has been a breakdown of the working relationship with Plaintiffs and that he is willing to provide further information at the hearing on this matter.

Counsel complied with the requirements of Rule 3.1362, and relief is appropriate under the circumstances of this case. However, Counsel failed to fill in Item 6 of form MC-053 with his clients’ addresses and phone numbers. The motion to be relieved as counsel filed by Counsel Matthew Abbasi will be granted once Counsel has filed an updated form MC-053, effective upon the filing of the proof of service of the signed order upon the client.

Conclusion

The motion to be relieved as counsel filed by Counsel Matthew Abbasi will be granted once Counsel has filed an updated form MC-053 for each Plaintiff, effective upon the filing of the proof of service of the signed order upon the client.