Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-02541/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-02541-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 15:1640 Truth in Lending

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28 This disposition is not designated for publication and may not be cited. 1

Case No. C 06-2451 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY

(JFLC1)

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

ARLENE VALDEZ,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

DOWNEY SAVINGS AND LOAN

ASSOCIATION, a California Corporation,

PRIMEWEST RESIDENTIAL LOANS, INC., a

California Corporation, HABIBULLAH M KAHN,

an individual, SAVINDAR K. KATTAURA, an

individual, ROMEO DE LA CRUZ, an individual,

SEAN MCGIVERN, an individual, et al.,

 Defendants.

Case Number C 06-2541-JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 1

WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY

[Docket. No. 73]

This action arises from allegedly predatory lending practices on the part of lender

Downey Savings and Loan Association (“Downey”), loan broker Primewest Residential Loans,

Inc. (“Primewest”), and four Primewest employees, Habibullah Khan (“Khan”), Savindar

Case 5:06-cv-02541-JF Document 82 Filed 05/14/07 Page 1 of 4
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 See Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part the Motion to Dismiss of Primewest, 2

Khan and Kattaura and (2) Denying Motion to Dismiss of Romeo and McGivern, April 17, 2007,

for a detailed discussion of the factual and procedural background of this action.

2

Case No. C 06-2451 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY

(JFLC1)

Kattaura (“Kattaura”), Romeo De La Cruz (“De La Cruz”), and Sean McGivern (“McGivern”).2

On March 26, 2007, the Law Offices of James G. Schwartz and its member attorneys moved to

be relieved as counsel for De La Cruz and Primewest. Counsel states that “differences have

arisen that have created conflicts that make it impossible for our office to continue

representation. Also, there has been a breakdown in communication.” Jackson Decl. ¶ 2. On the

same date, counsel filed notices of substitution of counsel in which Khan, Kattaura, and

McGivern stated their willingness to represent themselves. The Court previously has approved

the substitution of counsel with respect to McGivern and hereby approves the unopposed

substitution with respect to Kattaura and Khan.

Plaintiff opposes the motion that counsel be relieved from his representation of

Primewest to the extent that it would cause undue delay because Primewest may not proceed pro

se. “A corporation, unincorporated association, partnership or other such entity may appear only

through a member of the bar of this Court.” Civ. L.R. 3-9(b). Plaintiff asserts that the

depositions of Defendants have been delayed once before as a result of a prior substitution of

Defendants’ counsel and that the only deposition that has been taken is insufficient because of

improper conduct during the deposition. Plaintiff requests that the motion be denied “unless

Primewest retains substitution counsel in a timely manner and provides assurances to the Court,

in camera if appropriate, that the alleged ‘conflict’ will not recur upon substitution of new

counsel.” Opposition 2.

Having considered the papers filed by the parties and the arguments presented at the

hearing on May 11, 2007, the Court concludes that the motion to withdraw should be granted,

effective thirty days from the date of this order. De La Cruz may proceed pro se. Since

Primewest may not proceed pro se, and in order to avoid undue delay, Primewest hereby is

ordered to retain replacement counsel within thirty days of the date of this order. Failure to do so

may result in entry of default against Primewest. See Employee Painters’ Trust v. Ethan

Case 5:06-cv-02541-JF Document 82 Filed 05/14/07 Page 2 of 4
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Case No. C 06-2451 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY

(JFLC1)

Enterprises, Inc., 480 F.3d 993, 998 (9th Cir. 2007). Moving counsel shall ensure that De La

Cruz and Primewest receive the copies of this order sent to the addresses provided by moving

counsel. Nothing in this order affects the representation of Downey. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: 5/14/07

__________________________________

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

Case 5:06-cv-02541-JF Document 82 Filed 05/14/07 Page 3 of 4
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Case No. C 06-2451 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY

(JFLC1)

Copies of Order have been served upon the following persons:

Eric M. Alderete ealderete@downeysavings.com,

jessicavasquez@downeysavings.com 

Joshua David Brysk josh@jgschwartz.com, bella@jgschwartz.com 

Alison Paige Buchanan apb@hogefenton.com 

Isela Castaneda isela.castaneda@dlapiper.com, alison.mcquade@dlapiper.com 

Rajiv Sajjan Dharnidharka rajiv.dharnidharka@dlapiper.com, christina.wikner@dlapiper.com 

Christine M. Humphries chumphries@downeysavings.com,

jessicavasquez@downeysavings.com 

Michael D. McSweeney mdm@hogefenton.com 

Kim Pederson kimp@lawfoundation.org 

James G. Schwartz jim@jgschwartz.com, bella@jgschwartz.com;

roberta@jgschwartz.com 

Stephanie Sidra Alexandre Stevens stephanies@lawfoundation.org 

Aaron Wainscoat aaron.wainscoat@dlapiper.com, aaron.wainscoat@dlapiper.com;

celestine.seals@dlapiper.com 

Yakov M. Zolotorev yakov.zolotorev@dlapiper.com, deborah.brown@dlapiper.com 

Notice will be delivered by other means to:

Sean McGivern

755 E. Capitol Avenue, #J-212

Milpitas, CA 95035

PrimeWest Residential Loans, Inc.

39210 State Street, Suite 204

Fremont, CA 94538

Savindar K. Kattaura

39210 State Street, Suite 204

Fremont, CA 94538

Romeo De La Cruz

755 East Capitol Ave, Apt. N309

Milpitas, CA 95035

Habibullah Khan

39210 State Street, Suite 204

Fremont, CA 94538

Case 5:06-cv-02541-JF Document 82 Filed 05/14/07 Page 4 of 4