Monocoque Diversified Interests, LLC v. USA Jet Airlines, Inc. et al

Filing 74

ORDER GRANTING 63 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Signed by Judge Dustin M. Howell. (dm)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN DIVISION
MONOCOQUE DIVERSIFIED
INTERESTS, LLC,
Plaintiff
v.
USA JET AIRLINES, INC.,
Defendant

§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§

No. 1:21-CV-00956-DAE

ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff Monocoque Diversified Interests, LLC’s counsel’s
Motion to Withdraw as Counsel, Dkt. 63. The District Judge referred the motion to
the undersigned for disposition. The client opposes the motion, see Dkt. 64; Defendant
takes no position. The Court set the motion for hearing, at which Monocoque’s present
counsel, Richie & Gueringer, P.C.; Mary Alice Keyes, as corporate representative for
Monocoque; and counsel for Defendant were all in attendance. After considering the
filings, the arguments of counsel at the hearing, and the applicable law, the Court
concluded that the motion should be granted and announced that ruling, and the
reasoning for it, on the record. In particular, the Court found that Monocoque and its
present counsel have reached an irreconcilable breakdown in communication that
renders counsel’s further representation of Monocoque infeasible.
Moreover, the Court concludes that, in light of the recent revision to the Court’s
scheduling order, see Dkt. 70, Monocoque will not be unduly prejudiced by granting
counsel’s motion to withdraw at this time. As Monocoque is aware, the company

1

cannot represent itself in federal court. The Court, therefore, cautions Monocoque
that timing is of the essence and that prompt retention of new counsel is imperative
to ensure that the company’s interests in this litigation are adequately represented
going forward. The Court further notes that failure to timely obtain counsel in
accordance with this order could result in dismissal of Monocoque’s remaining claims
against Defendant.
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Richie & Gueringer’s motion to withdraw,
Dkt. 63, effective immediately. The Court ORDERS Monocoque to obtain
replacement counsel on or before November 27, 2023, and that the new counsel must
enter an appearance in this case on or before that same date. The Court FURTHER
ORDERS Richie & Gueringer to serve a copy of this order on Monocoque on or before
November 14, 2023.
SIGNED November 13, 2023.

DUSTIN M. HOWELL
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2