Judge: John J. Kralik, Case: 23BBCP00026, Date: 2023-10-27 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23BBCP00026    Hearing Date: October 27, 2023    Dept: NCB

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

North Central District

Department B

Defense counsel, Matthew B. Learned of For Purpose Law Group (“Counsel”), moves to be relieved as counsel for Defendant Pacifica Foundation, Inc. (“Defendant”). 

Counsel filed this instant motion to be relieved as counsel on September 12, 2023.  Counsel has filed the requisite MC-051 and MC-052 forms pursuant to CRC Rule 3.1362.  However, Counsel has not lodged an MC-053 proposed order form. 

According to the declaration of Counsel, Counsel seeks to be relieved as counsel because Defendant has not voluntarily consented to Counsel’s request to be relieved.  Counsel states that there is a breakdown of the working relationship with Defendant.  (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 Defendant’s website and by reviewing its Statement of Information filed with the Secretary of State on June 6, 2023, within the past 30 days of filing the motion.  Plaintiff’s counsel was also served with the motion by electronic service.

As for future hearing dates, the Final Status Conference is set for April 4, 2024 and the Trial is set for April 15, 2024.  Thus, there is sufficient time for Defendant Pacifica Foundation, Inc. to obtain substitute counsel.

Accordingly, the motion to be relieved as counsel is granted.  Counsel is ordered to electronically lodge with the Court an MC-053 proposed order form that has been properly filled out with the requisite information.  The Court will review and sign the proposed order form.  The order will become effective upon the filing of proof of service of a signed copy of the order on Defendant.In addition, as Defendant Pacifica Foundation, Inc. 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 Pacifica Foundation, Inc. for December 6, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.'


Notice to be provided by Counsel.
************MC-053 rejected on 10/24/23 because #6 was not completed-no phone number included.

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