Judge: Holly J. Fujie, Case: 22STCV33012, Date: 2023-08-22 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV33012    Hearing Date: March 27, 2024    Dept: 56

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

            Susan M. Murphy, Esq., moves to be relieved as counsel for Cross-Defendants Bo Zhang, Eva Neumann, United Premier Development LLC (“United”), Yukee Architectural Design Corp (“Yukee”), and Jianying Wu on the grounds that there has been an irreparable breakdown of the attorney-client relationship that makes it impossible for counsel to continue representing the clients. (Murphy Decl. ¶ 2.) The Motions comply with all requirements of Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.

3There is no showing that granting the motions to be relieved as counsel (the “Motions”) would result in prejudice, except for the fact that the trial is currently set for June 3, 2024 – less than nine weeks after the hearing on this motion -- and two of the parties subject to these Motions, i.e., United  and Yukee cannot represent themselves, being an LLC and a corporation, respectively.  The Court on its own motion therefore sets an Order to Show Cause for April 26, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. for United and Yukee to show that they are represented by new counsel.  The trial is continued to December 2, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.  The Final Status Conference date is also vacated and re-set for November 18, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

Thus, the Motions are GRANTED.

Susan M. Murphy 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 27^th day of March 2024