Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-02016/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-02016-9/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1125 Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act)

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For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LIFESCAN, INC.,

Plaintiff,

 v.

 AMERICAN HEALTHCARE, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

 /

No. C 05-02016 JSW

ORDER CONDITIONALLY

GRANTING TOWNSEND’S

MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS

COUNSEL

This matter comes before the Court upon consideration of Lawrence G. Townsend of the

Law Offices of Lawrence G. Townsend’s (“Townsend”) motion to withdraw as counsel for

Defendant Payless Wholesale, Inc. (“Payless”). Payless has not submitted an opposition to the

motion. The Court has reviewed the parties’ papers and relevant legal authority and has had the

benefit of oral argument. 

The Court finds that good cause exists to warrant Townsend’s request to withdraw from

representing Payless based on its failure to pay his attorneys’ fees. However, Payless is a

corporation and cannot represent itself. See Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, 506 U.S. 194,

201-02 (1993); Civil Local Rule 3-9(b). Nor has Payless has not filed a substitution of counsel,

despite having notice of Townsend’s motion to withdraw. 

Where, as here, withdrawal by an attorney from an action is not accompanied by

simultaneous appearance of substitute counsel, leave to withdraw may be subject to the

condition that papers continue to be served on counsel unless and until the client appears by

other counsel. See Civ. L.R. 11-5(b) (stating that when withdrawal by an attorney from an 

Case 3:05-cv-02016-JSW Document 73 Filed 01/23/07 Page 1 of 2
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action is not accompanied by simultaneous appearance of substitute counsel . . . leave to

withdraw may be subject to the condition that papers may continue to be served on counsel for

forwarding purposes, unless and until the client appears by other counsel). 

Therefore, the Court conditionally GRANTS Townsend’s motion to withdraw with

respect to Payless upon the condition that the withdrawal will not be effective until November 8,

2006, or until substitute counsel makes an appearance, whichever occurs sooner. Any

documents pertaining to this action will continue to be served on Townsend for forwarding

purposes until November 8, 2006, or until substitute counsel has entered an appearance. 

Because a corporation cannot represent itself, Payless must file a substitution of attorney

by no later than February 28, 2007. Payless is admonished that failure to retain substitute

counsel may result in the Court entering a judgment against it. 

Townsend is HEREBY ORDERED to serve this Order upon Payless, by no later than

January 26, 2007, and file proof of such service with the Court by January 30, 2007.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 23, 2007 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:05-cv-02016-JSW Document 73 Filed 01/23/07 Page 2 of 2