United States of America v. Blunt

Filing 57

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER denying without prejudice 54 MOTION to Withdraw as Attorney. Signed by Judge Paula Xinis on 6/14/2019. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.

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ROGER R. BLUNT,
Defendant.

Civil Action No. 8:17-cv-00444-PX

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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

Pending before the Court is a motion to withdraw as attorney by counsel for Defendant
Roger Blunt. ECF No. 54. Whether to allow withdrawal is committed to the discretion of the
Court. Abbott v. Gordon, No. DKC-09-0372, 2010 WL 4183334, at *1 (D. Md. Oct. 25, 2010).
The Court must consider the potential prejudice to the parties and the potential disruption to the
administration of justice. Al-Sabah v. Agbodjogbe, No. ELH-17-730, 2019 WL 1472585, at *3
(D. Md. Apr. 3, 2019). Where, as here, the Court must resolve a pending dispositive motion for
summary judgment about which current counsel is knowledgeable, withdrawal would be “quite
disruptive.” See Patterson v. Gemini Org., Ltd., 238 F.3d 414 (Table), 2000 WL 1718542, at *2
(4th Cir. 2000).
Further, the Court recently held a recorded status conference with the parties concerning
discovery and scheduling. ECF No. 52. At that conference, the Court conveyed its expectation
that dispositive motions would be addressed in short order. Blunt’s counsel never raised the
possibility of withdrawal. Given that this case has been pending for over two years, delayed
considerably at Blunt’s request, the prejudice that would inure to the Government by withdrawal
at this late stage compels the Court to deny this motion.
Accordingly, it is this 14th day of June 2019, by the United States District Court for the

District of Maryland, ORDERED that the Motion to Withdraw as Attorney (ECF No. 54) filed
by Defendant Roger Blunt BE, and the same hereby IS, DENIED without prejudice to refile after
resolution of the pending motion for summary judgment, if appropriate.

6/14/2019
Date

/S/
Paula Xinis
United States District Judge

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