Judge: Holly J. Fujie, Case: 22STCV18851, Date: 2023-10-10 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV18851    Hearing Date: October 10, 2023    Dept: 56

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

MOVING PARTY: Joshua I. Epstein (“Epstein”)

Epstein 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, Epstein declares that withdrawal is proper under Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.16  due to circumstances which involve facts that are required to be kept confidential under Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e) and Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.6.  The Court finds this an adequate basis for withdrawal.   For this reason and because it is unopposed, the Court GRANTS the Motion.  (Sexton v. Superior Court (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 1403, 1410.)  

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 10th day of October 2023