Judge: Kerry Bensinger, Case: 22STCV19338, Date: 2023-09-13 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV19338    Hearing Date: September 13, 2023    Dept: 27

Tentative Ruling

Judge Kerry Bensinger, Department 27

HEARING DATE:      September 13, 2023                                   TRIAL DATE:  April 12, 2024

CASE:                                Francisco Flores Flores v. City of Los Angeles, et al.

CASE NO.:                 22STCV19338

MOTION TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL

MOVING PARTY:               Demetrios Papanikolas, Jacoby & Meyers Attorneys, LLP

RESPONDING PARTY:     No opposition

I.          INTRODUCTION

On August 18, 2023, Demetrios Papanikolas, counsel for Plaintiff Francisco Flores Flores, filed this Motion to be Relieved as Counsel.  

II.        LEGAL STANDARDS 

California Rule of Court rule 3.1362 (Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel) requires (1) notice of motion and motion to be directed to the client (made on the Notice of Motion and Motion to be Relieved as Counsel—Civil form (MC-051)); (2) a declaration stating in general terms and without compromising the confidentiality of the attorney-client relationship why a motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 284(2) is brought instead of filing a consent under Code of Civil Procedure section 284(1) (made on the Declaration in Support of Attorney's Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel—Civil form (MC-052)); (3) service of the notice of motion and motion and declaration on all other parties who have appeared in the case; and (4) the proposed order relieving counsel (prepared on the Order Granting Attorney's Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel—Civil form (MC-053)). 

The court has discretion to allow an attorney to withdraw, and such a motion should be granted provided that there is no prejudice to the client, and it does not disrupt the orderly process of justice.  (See Ramirez v. Sturdevant (1994) 21 Cal.App.4th 904, 915.)  

III.       DISCUSSION 

Demetrios Papanikolas seeks to be relieved as counsel of record for Plaintiff for the following reason: “Since approximately November of 2022, there has been a lack of response and contact with the client due leading to a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship and communications, making it unreasonably difficult to carry out effective representation of Plaintiff.”  (MC-052, Attachment 2.)  Counsel details the exhaustive efforts in trying to communicate with Plaintiff.

Absent a showing of resulting prejudice, an attorney’s request for withdrawal should be granted.  (People v. Prince (1968) 268 Cal.App.2d 398, 406.).  

Upon review, the Court finds the Motion complies with Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.

IV.       CONCLUSION        

            The Motion is granted and effective upon the filing of the proof of service of this signed order upon Plaintiff.¿¿¿The Court will hear from Counsel.¿¿

            Counsel to give notice.  

Dated:   September 13, 2023                                                   ___________________________________

                                                                                    Kerry Bensinger

                                                                                    Judge of the Superior Court

            Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SSCDEPT27@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit on the tentative as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  Please be advised that if you submit on the tentative and elect not to appear at the hearing, the opposing party may nevertheless appear at the hearing and argue the matter.  Unless you receive a submission from all other parties in the matter, you should assume that others might appear at the hearing to argue.  If the Court does not receive emails from the parties indicating submission on this tentative ruling and there are no appearances at the hearing, the Court may, at its discretion, adopt the tentative as the final order or place the motion off calendar.