Judge: Holly J. Fujie, Case: 21STCV37379, Date: 2023-08-25 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 21STCV37379    Hearing Date: August 25, 2023    Dept: 56

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

MOVING PARTY: John Andrew Wright (“Wright”)

On July 28, 2023, Wright filed a motion to be relieved as Plaintiff’s counsel (the “Motion”).  The Motion is compliant with California Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.  The Motion is unopposed.  Any opposition papers were required to have been filed and served at least nine court days before the hearing under California Code of Civil Procedure section 1005, subdivision (b).

DISCUSSION

The court has discretion on whether to allow an attorney to withdraw, and a motion to withdraw will not be granted where withdrawal would prejudice the client.  (Ramirez v. Sturdevant (1994) 21 Cal.App.4th 904, 915.) 

In support of the Motion, Wright declares that there has been a breakdown of the attorney/client relationship.  Given the imminence of trial, the Wright Declaration does not provide enough information for the Court to determine if withdrawal is appropriate under the circumstances at this stage in the litigation.  Absent additional information that may be presented at the hearing, the Court provisionally DENIES the Motion.

Moving party is ordered to give notice of this ruling.

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SMC_DEPT56@lacourt.org as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  If the department does not receive an email and there are no appearances at the hearing, the motion will be placed off calendar. 

           Dated this 25th day of August 2023