Judge: Virginia Keeny, Case: 21STCV20050, Date: 2025-02-04 Tentative Ruling




Case Number: 21STCV20050    Hearing Date: February 4, 2025    Dept: 45

SLW HOLDINGS, LLC V. TYRONE FREEMAN, ET AL.

 

MOTION TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL

 

Date of Hearing:          February 4, 2025                     Trial Date:       None set.  

Department:               45                                            Case No:          21STCV20050

 

Moving Party:             Salomon Zavala, counsel of record for Defendants

Responding Party:       None.

Notice:                         Proper

 

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

 

Plaintiff SLW Holdings, LLC, (“Plaintiff”) filed this fraud and breach of contract case against Defendants on May 28, 2021.

 

On November 21, 2024, Saloman Zavala (“Counsel”) of Zavala Law Group, P.C., filed these two motions to be relieved as counsel for Defendants Tyrone Freeman and Genetixs, LLC (“Defendants”). Defendants do not oppose. 

 

TENTATIVE RULING: GRANT

 

Counsel seeks to be relieved on the grounds that a difference of opinion as to how to proceed in this matter has arisen between the clients and attorney.

 

Counsel has complied with the requirements of CRC Rule 3.1362 by filing forms MC-051 and MC-052 and lodging with the Court a copy of the proposed order on form MC-053 as to each Defendant. Counsel served Defendants by mail at each of the Defendants’ last known address, which Counsel states he has confirmed as current within the past 30 days. Counsel also served all other parties who have appeared in the case via eservice.

 

Further, it appears no prejudice will be suffered by Defendants as no trial date has been set yet.

 

However, “a corporation cannot represent itself in a court of record either in propria persona or through an officer or agent who is not an attorney.” (Caressa Camille, Inc. v. Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Bd. (2002) 99 Cal.App.4th 1094, 1101.) Defendant Genetixs, LLC, must retain new counsel immediately.

 

Accordingly, the Motions to be Relieved as Counsel for Defendants Tyrone Freeman and Genetixs, LLC, are GRANTED.