Judge: Virginia Keeny, Case: 23STCV17752, Date: 2025-04-04 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV17752    Hearing Date: April 4, 2025    Dept: 45

936 FEDORA ST LLC V. SIGLO DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION LLC, ET AL.

MOTION TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL

Date of Hearing:          April 4, 2025                            Trial Date:       June 2, 2025  

Department:               45                                            Case No:          23STCV17752

Moving Party:             Richard Liu and Edward Wells, counsel of record for Plaintiff

Responding Party:       None.

Notice:                         Proper

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff 936 Fedora St LLC (“Plaintiff”) filed this breach of contract and negligence case against Defendants on July 28, 2023.

On February 28, 2025, Richard Liu and Edward Wells (“Counsel”) of Innovative Legal Services, P.C., filed this motion to be relieved as counsel for Plaintiff 936 Fedora St LLC (“Plaintiff”). No opposition has been filed. 

TENTATIVE RULING: GRANT

Counsel seek to be relieved on the grounds that the attorney-client relationship has completely and irreparably broken down.

Counsel have 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. Counsel served Plaintiff by mail at Plaintiff’s last known address, which Counsel state that they have 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 Plaintiff as the trial date is not for a couple of months.

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.) Plaintiff must retain new counsel immediately.

Accordingly, the Motion to be Relieved as Counsel for Plaintiff 936 Fedora St LLC is GRANTED.