Judge: Lisa K. Sepe-Wiesenfeld, Case: 21SMCP00432, Date: 2024-11-07 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 21SMCP00432    Hearing Date: November 7, 2024    Dept: N

TENTATIVE RULING

Currently pending before the Court are Marvin V. Adviento and MBA|LEGAL, P.C.’s Motions to Withdraw as Counsel for Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant American Royal Crown, Inc. and Cross-Defendant Houman Bellafard.

Counsel has asserted a valid reason for withdrawal, i.e., counsel is closing his practice to work for a government employer, and counsel has provided the required forms under rule 3.1362 of the California Rules of Court and served the client and opposing parties with the same. However, the trial is set for a week from the date of hearing on this motion, counsel did not seek to advance the hearing on this motion to avoid prejudice to his clients, he does not identify a start date for his new employment, and he fails to describe any communication efforts with the clients to determine whether they are able to obtain new counsel in a timely fashion. Accordingly, Marvin V. Adviento and MBA|LEGAL, P.C.’s Motions to Withdraw as Counsel for Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant American Royal Crown, Inc. and Cross-Defendant Houman Bellafard are DENIED.