Hale v. Manna Pro Products, LLC

Filing 50

ORDER signed by District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on 12/5/2019 GRANTING 44 Motion to Withdraw Attorney Jennifer E. Hoekel. (Becknal, R)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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ASHLEY HALE,

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No. 2:18-cv-00209-KJM-DB
Plaintiff,

v.

ORDER

MANNA PRO PRODUCTS, LLC,
Defendant.

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Defendant Manna Pro Products, LLC is currently represented by four lead

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attorneys from three different law firms. On October 24, 2019, one of defendant’s lead attorneys,

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Jennifer E. Hoekel, moved to withdraw as counsel for defendant, explaining she has transitioned

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to a new law firm effective October 7, 2019. Neither defendant nor plaintiff has opposed the

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motion. If Ms. Hoekel is permitted to withdraw as counsel, defendant will not be left in propria

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persona, but will continue to be represented by Armstrong Teasdale LLP and TroyGould PC.

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Whether to grant a motion to withdraw is within the court’s discretion. Liang v.

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Cal-Bay Int’l, Inc., No. 06CV1082-WMC, 2007 WL 3144099, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 24, 2007)

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(citing LeGrand v. Stewart, 133 F.3d 1253, 1269 (9th Cir. 1998)). Courts consider several factors

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when evaluating a motion to withdraw, including the reasons for withdrawal, possible prejudice

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to the client and other litigants, harm to the administration of justice and possible delay. Deal v.
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Countrywide Home Loans, No. 09-01643, 2010 WL 3702459, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 15, 2010)

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(citation omitted).

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Here, the court finds good cause exists for Ms. Hoekel to withdraw, and her

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withdrawal is not likely to prejudice any party or delay this litigation. Accordingly, the motion to

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withdraw is GRANTED.

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This order resolves ECF No. 44. The Clerk is directed to amend the docket to
reflect this change.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: December 5, 2019.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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