Judge: Thomas D. Long, Case: 23STCV29693, Date: 2025-04-03 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV29693    Hearing Date: April 3, 2025    Dept: 48

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

Aaron Brock, Christopher Brandes, Tiffany Romo, and the firm Brock & Gonzales LLP (counsel of record for Plaintiff Maria Lopez) seek to be relieved as counsel.  Counsel’s declaration states that a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship has occurred which has made it impossible for counsel to continue to adequately and properly represent Plaintiff.  No party opposed the motion.

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.)  Counsel’s motion substantially complies with California Rules of Court, rule 3.1362.  This matter has already been ordered to arbitration with only a Status Conference scheduled in this Court, so there is no prejudice to Plaintiff.

However, the proposed order is incomplete.  It does not include the client’s current or last known telephone number, which is required.

Accordingly, the motion to relieve counsel is DENIED.

Moving party to give notice.

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SMCDEPT48@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit.  If all parties in the case submit on the tentative ruling, no appearances before the Court are required unless a companion hearing (for example, a Case Management Conference) is also on calendar.

         Dated this 3rd day of April 2025