Judge: Michael E. Whitaker, Case: 20SMUD00869, Date: 2023-11-03 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20SMUD00869    Hearing Date: March 27, 2024    Dept: 207

TENTATIVE RULING

MOTION

            Cynthia A. de Petris, Esq. of the Law Offices of Cynthia A. de Petris, counsel for Defendants Briggita Lauren and Eric K. Yohan (“Counsel”) moves to be relived as counsel, citing an “impasse” and “breakdown” between Counsel and Defendants.  Defendants Briggita Lauren and Eric K. Yohan (“Defendants”) have each filed an opposition.

LEGAL STANDARD

Code of Civil Procedure section 284 provides “[t]he attorney in an action or special proceeding may be changed at any time before or after judgment or final determination as follows: 1. Upon the consent of both client and attorney, filed with the clerk, or entered in the minutes; 2. Upon the order of the court, upon the application of either client or attorney, after notice from one to the other.”

Procedural Requirements

California Rules of Court, rule 3.1362, requires:

(1) the motion must be made on form MC-051; (subd. (a));

(2) it must be accompanied by a declaration on form MC-052 stating why the motion is brought under Code of Civil Procedure section 284(2) instead of a consent brought under section 284(1); (subd. (c));

(3) a proposed order on form MC-053 must be lodged with the court, specifying all hearing dates scheduled in the action or proceeding, including the date of trial, if known; (subd. (e)); and

(4) The documents must be served on the client and on all parties that have appeared in the case. (subd. (d).)

If the notice is served by mail or electronic service, it must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that the address served is the current address, or in the case of service by mail, that it was served on the last known address and a more current address could not be located after reasonable efforts within 30 days before filing the motion.  (Ibid.)  The court may delay the effective date of the order relieving counsel until proof of service of a copy of the signed order on the client has been filed with the court.”  (Ibid.) 

Substantive Requirements

Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.16(a) outlines the reasons a lawyer must withdraw from representation of a client:

(1)   the client is bringing an action, conducting a defense, asserting a position in litigation, or taking an appeal, without probable cause and for the purpose of harassing or maliciously injuring any person;

(2)   the representation will result in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct or the State Bar Act;

(3)   the lawyer’s mental or physical condition renders it unreasonably difficult to carry out the representation effectively; or

(4)   the client discharges the lawyer.

Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.16(b) outlines the reasons a lawyer may withdraw from representation of a client:

(1)   the client insists upon presenting a claim or defense in litigation, or asserting a position or making a demand in a non-litigation matter, that is not warranted under existing law and cannot be supported by good faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law;

(2)   the client either seeks to pursue a criminal or fraudulent course of conduct or has used the lawyer’s services to advance a course of conduct that the lawyer reasonably believes was a crime or fraud;

(3)   the client insists that the lawyer pursue a course of conduct that is criminal or fraudulent;

(4)   the client by other conduct renders it unreasonably difficult for the lawyer to carry out the representation effectively;

(5)   the client breaches a material term of an agreement with, or obligation, to the lawyer relating to the representation, and the lawyer has given the client a reasonable warning after the breach that the lawyer will withdraw unless the client fulfills the agreement or performs the obligation;

(6)   the client knowingly and freely assents to termination of the representation;

(7)   the inability to work with co-counsel indicates that the best interests of the client likely will be served by withdrawal;

(8)   the lawyer’s mental or physical condition renders it difficult for the lawyer to carry out the representation effectively;

(9)   a continuation of the representation is likely to result in a violation of these rules or the State Bar Act; or

(10)         the lawyer believes in good faith in a proceeding pending before a tribunal that the tribunal will find the existence of other good cause for withdrawal.

DISCUSSION

            Counsel has filed forms MC-051, MC-052, and MC-053 for each Defendant.  The attorney declarations (MC-052) indicate that the motion was filed instead of filing a consent because “Client and I have reached an impasse, which creates a breakdown mandating my release from this case.  I cannot provide any additional information without violating the attorney-client privilege.”  As such, the Court finds that the motion is substantively proper.  (See Rules Prof. Conduct, rule 1.16(b)(4).) 

            Defendants have each objected, indicating, “due to being on limited Social Security income and the responsibility of supporting two small children we have faced payment challenges.  She should and will be paid for her work in full. We have filed a fee waiver in this case due to hardship.”

            However, while the Court is sensitive to Defendants’ stated financial difficulties, Defendants’ objections do not undermine the fact that Counsel’s motions are both procedurally and substantively proper. 

CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Therefore, the Court grants both Motions to be Relieved as Counsel.  Counsel must serve the signed order (form MC-053), which shall include information about all future hearings and proceedings noticed by any party, or ordered by the Court, on Defendants and all other parties who have appeared in the action, within 10 days of the date of this Order, and file a proof of service of such.  Counsel will remain the attorney of record for Defendants until Counsel files the requisite proof of service.  (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(e).) 

DATED:  March 27, 2024                                          ___________________________

                                                                              Michael E. Whitaker

                                                                              Judge of the Superior Court