Judge: John J. Kralik, Case: 22BBCV02531, Date: 2025-05-02 Tentative Ruling

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Case Number: 22BBCV02531    Hearing Date: May 2, 2025    Dept: NCB

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

North Central District

Department B

Defense counsel, Ilene Kurtzman (“Counsel”), moves to be relieved as counsel for Defendant 7007 Riverside LLC (“Defendant”). 

Counsel filed this instant motion to be relieved as counsel on April 2, 2025.  Counsel has filed the requisite MC-051 and MC-052 forms pursuant to CRC Rule 3.1362.  However, Counsel has not properly lodged a proposed MC-053 order form as items 1 and 6 were not properly filled out. 

According to the declaration of Counsel, Counsel seeks to be relieved as counsel because the attorney-client relationship has deteriorated to the point where continued representation is no longer possible.  (MC-052, §2.)  For these reasons, Counsel seeks to withdraw from representing Defendant in this action. 

Counsel properly served Defendant at its last known mailing address, which was confirmed by the business address that continues to be active and the physical address of Defendant according to its records on the California Secretary of State website.  Counsel also served the documents electronically. 

As for future hearing dates, a motion to be relieved as counsel (with respect to Defendant Mikayel Israyelyan) is set for March 23, 2025, the Final Status Conference is set for August 28, 2025, and the Trial is set for September 8, 2025.  While trial is approaching, there is still time for Defendant to obtain substitute counsel.

Accordingly, the motion to be relieved as counsel is granted.  Counsel is ordered to electronically lodge a corrected MC-053 form for the Court’s signing.  The order will become effective upon the filing of a proof of service of a signed copy of the order on Defendant. 

In addition, as Defendant 7007 Riverside LLC is a corporate entity, it cannot represent itself in propria persona.  (See Rogers v. Municipal Court (1988) 197 Cal.App.3d 1314, 1318.)  Thus, the Court will set an Order to Show Cause re Status of Representation of Defendant 7007 Riverside LLC for July 17, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

Notice to be provided by Counsel.

DATED: May 2, 2025                                                            ___________________________

                                                                                          John J. Kralik

                                                                                          Judge of the Superior Court