Judge Lee W. Tsao, Case Number: 22NWCV00157, Date: 2023-11-15 Tentative Ruling

Judge: Lee W. Tsao, Case: 22NWCV00157, Date: 2023-11-15 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22NWCV00157 Hearing Date: February 21, 2024 Dept: C

Esquibel, et al. v. IEV Factory, et al.

CASE NO.: 22NWCV00157

HEARING: 2/21/24 @ 9:30 AM

Defendant’s counsel’s Motion to be Relieved as Counsel is GRANTED.

The Law Offices of Matthew Huzaineh to give NOTICE.

Defendant’s counsel, Matthew Huzaineh of the Law Offices of Matthew Huzaineh, P.C. moves to be relieved as counsel for Defendant, IEV Factory, Inc. (IEV).

Background

This is a breach of contract action filed by Plaintiffs Steve Esquibel, Lara Sellars, Maho Mitsuya, and EV Factory, Inc. against Defendants IEV, Martin Kruszenlnicki, and Yutaka Miyazaki.

Discussion

Good cause exists to grant the motion based on any of the grounds under Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3-700(C). Rule 3-700(c) provides that an attorney may withdraw based on any of the following: (1) The client (a) insists upon presenting a claim or defense that is not warranted under existing law and cannot be supported by good faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, or (b) seeks to pursue an illegal course of conduct, or (c) insists that the member pursue a course of conduct that is illegal or that is prohibited under these rules or the State Bar Act, or (d) by other conduct renders it unreasonably difficult for the member to carry out the employment effectively, or (e) insists, in a matter not pending before a tribunal, that the member engage in conduct that is contrary to the judgment and advice of the member but not prohibited under these rules or the State Bar Act, or (f) breaches an agreement or obligation to the member as to expenses or fees. (2) The continued employment is likely to result in a violation of these rules or of the State Bar Act; or (3) the inability to work with co-counsel indicates that the best interests of the client likely will be served by withdrawal; or (4) The member's mental or physical condition renders it difficult for the member to carry out the employment effectively; or (5) The client knowingly and freely assents to termination of the employment; or (6) The member believes in good faith, in a proceeding pending before a tribunal, that the tribunal will find the existence of other good cause for withdrawal. An attorney may request to withdraw from representation of a corporate client. (Thomas G. Ferruzzo, Inc. v. Superior Court (1980) 104 Cal.App.3d 501, 504.)

IEV’s counsel’s declaration demonstrates good cause for withdrawal because IEV has failed to pay the agreed upon fees. IEV was served by mail at its last known address which was confirmed in the last 30 days.

The motion is GRANTED. The order shall take effect when the proof of service of the signed order on IEV has been filed with the court.