Judge: Steven A. Ellis, Case: 23STCV08142, Date: 2024-06-18 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV08142    Hearing Date: June 18, 2024    Dept: 29

Motion to be Relieved as Counsel, filed by Plaintiff’s Counsel Ramin R. Younessi.

Tentative

The motion is denied without prejudice.

Background

On April 12, 2023, Jose Rodrigo Munoz (“Plaintiff”) filed a complaint against Food 4 Less of California, Inc. and Does 1 through 20 for negligence and premises liability causes of action arising out of a slip and fall occurring on November 20, 2021. On July 12, 2023, Food 4 Less of California Inc. dba Food 4 Less filed an answer.

On May 22, 2024, Ramin R. Younessi (“Counsel”) filed this motion to be relieved as counsel for Plaintiff. No opposition has been filed.

Legal Standard

The court may order that an attorney be changed or substituted at any time before or after judgment or final determination upon request by either client or attorney and after notice from one to the other. (Code of Civ. Proc., § 284(b).) An attorney is permitted to withdraw where conflicts between the attorney and client make it unreasonable to continue the representation. (See Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct 3-700(C)(1).) “The determination whether to grant or deny a motion to withdraw as counsel lies within the sound discretion of the trial court.” (Manfredi & Levine v. Superior Court (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 1128, 1133.)   

An application to be relieved as counsel must be made on Judicial Counsel Form MC-051 (Notice of Motion and Motion) (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(a)), MC-052 (Declaration) (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(c)), and MC-053 (Proposed Order) (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(e)).   

Further, the requisite forms must be served on the client and all other parties who have appeared in the case. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(d).) The court may delay 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. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1362(e).) 

Discussion

Counsel has filed the Notice, Declaration, and Order to be Relieved as Counsel for Plaintiff. However, Counsel has failed to serve these documents on all parties in this matter.

Accordingly, the motion is DENIED.

Conclusion

The motion to be relieved as counsel is DENIED.