Automated Summary
Key Facts
Mitchell Silberg & Knupp LLP and its attorneys Eleanor M. Lackman and Marissa B. Lewis filed a motion to withdraw as counsel of record for Plaintiff Perplexity Solved Solutions, Inc. The Court granted the motion, finding an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4). The firm must continue accepting service of documents until Plaintiff obtains alternate counsel. Plaintiff is granted 30 days to acquire new counsel, with new counsel required to appear by September 5, 2025. The Case Management Conference is continued to September 17, 2025.
Issues
The Court granted Mitchell Silberg & Knupp LLP's motion to withdraw as counsel of record for Plaintiff Perplexity Solved Solutions, Inc. The Court found that the attorney-client relationship had broken down, satisfying California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4). Plaintiff was granted 30 days to obtain new counsel, with new counsel required to appear by September 5, 2025. The Court continued the August 27, 2025 Case Management Conference to September 17, 2025. Plaintiff is advised that failure to retain substitute counsel may result in default judgment on counterclaims and dismissal of its action.
Holdings
The Court grants Mitchell Silberg & Knupp LLP's motion to withdraw as counsel of record for Plaintiff Perplexity Solved Solutions, Inc., conditioned on the firm continuing to accept service of all documents until Plaintiff obtains alternate counsel. Plaintiff is granted an additional 30 days to acquire new counsel, with a deadline for new counsel to make an appearance by September 5, 2025. The Court continues the Case Management Conference from August 27, 2025 to September 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom video, with a joint case management conference statement due a week in advance.
Remedies
The Court granted Mitchell Silberg & Knupp LLP's motion to withdraw as counsel of record for Plaintiff, conditioned on the firm continuing to accept service of all documents until Plaintiff obtains alternate counsel. Plaintiff is granted an additional 30 days to acquire new counsel; new counsel must make an appearance by September 5, 2025. The Case Management Conference scheduled for August 27, 2025 was continued to September 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom video. A joint case management conference statement is due a week in advance.
Legal Principles
The court applied Civil Local Rule 5-1(c) and Civil Local Rule 11-5(a) governing attorney withdrawal, requiring court order after written notice to client and other parties. The court referenced California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4) regarding attorney-client relationship breakdown. The order also cited Rowland v. California Men's Colony (corporations may appear in federal courts only through licensed counsel), Emp. Painters' Tr. v. Ethan Enters., Inc. (failure to retain substitute counsel may result in default judgment), and Greenspan v. Admin. Off. of the United States Cts. (dismissal of corporate plaintiffs without prejudice unless they retain legal representation).
Precedent Name
- Rowland v. California Men's Colony, Unit II Men's Advisory Council
- Emp. Painters' Tr. v. Ethan Enters., Inc.
- Russell v. Maman
- Greenspan v. Admin. Off. of the United States Cts.
Cited Statute
- Civil Local Rule 11-5(a)
- California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4)
- Civil Local Rule 5-1(c)
Judge Name
Jacqueline Scott Corley
Passage Text
- However, the withdrawal is 'subject to the condition that papers may continue to be served on counsel for forwarding purposes' until Plaintiff retains new counsel.
- Ms. Lewis' attestation of a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship such that her firm's continued representation of Plaintiff is unreasonably difficult under California Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4) satisfies the Court that withdrawal is sought for a valid reason.
- Plaintiff is granted an additional 30 days to acquire new counsel; that is, new counsel, if any, shall make an appearance by September 5, 2025.