Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02088/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02088-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 290
Nature of Suit: Other Real Property Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331(a) Fed. Question: Real Property

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28 Because oral argument will not be of material assistance, 1

the Court orders this matter submitted on the briefs. E.D. Cal.

Local Rule 78-230(h). 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JUANITA STEELE,

2:06-CV-02088-MCE-EFB

Plaintiff,

v. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

CECELIA HERNANDEZ, MARSHA

TOLEN and MARVIN MELVIN

HILPERT (aka “Moon”) and DOES

1-50,

Defendants.

----oo0oo----

Through this action, Plaintiff Juanita Steele (“Plaintiff”)

seeks damages against Cecelia Hernandez, Marsha Tolen and Marvin

Melvin Hilpert (aka “Moon”) (collectively “Defendants”) on

grounds that these Defendants have trespassed on and interfered

with Plaintiff’s right to possess certain Indian Allotment lands

in violation of 25 C.F.R. part. 162.106(a) and 163.29 as well as

state and federal common laws.1

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Case 2:06-cv-02088-MCE -EFB Document 18 Filed 05/24/07 Page 1 of 3
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2

On September 19, 2006, Plaintiff filed a Complaint in this matter

alleging the foregoing causes of action. The Complaint has been

answered and the Pretrial Scheduling Order has been issued.

Presently before the Court is Defendants’ counsel’s Motion

to Withdraw pursuant to the Eastern District’s Local Rule 83-

182(d) and the California Professional Rules of Conduct Rule 3-

700. For the reasons set forth below, the Motion to Withdraw is

granted.

BACKGROUND

Attorney Anthony Cohen and his employer, Clement,

Fitzpatrick & Kenworthy, Inc. have represented Defendants since

the inception of this litigation. Attorney Cohen’s declaration

and moving papers indicate that his clients have failed to

respond to both phone calls and written communication since

February 22, 2007, thereby necessitating this Motion. According

to Mr. Cohen, this unresponsiveness has continued despite

advising Defendants of his intent to withdraw as counsel. In

addition, Mr. Cohen has indicated that Defendants have failed to

tender payment in accord with the retainer agreement signed at

the outset of the representation.

This motion is governed by the requirements of Local Rule

83-182(d), which provides that an attorney may not withdraw,

leaving the client in propria persona, absent noticed Motion and

an affidavit from counsel showing the efforts made to provide

notification of the attorney’s intent to withdraw.

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3

Attorney Cohen has clearly followed these procedural

requirements. In addition, on a substantive basis Rule 83-182(d)

specifies that withdrawal by an attorney is governed by the Rules

of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California. Rule 3-

700(C)(1)(d) provides that counsel may withdraw where the client

“renders it unreasonably difficult for the member to carry out

the employment effectively.” Here, given Defendants’ failure to

communicate with Defense counsel, failure to tender timely

payment for services rendered and failure to oppose the present

Motion, the Court finds Defendants’ conduct meets the foregoing

standard.

CONCLUSION

As explained above, Clement, Fitzpatrick & Kenworthy, Inc.s’

Motion to Withdraw as Defendants’ Attorneys of Record is GRANTED.

 Said firm is to provide defendants notice of the Court’s

order granting the motion to withdraw within ten (10) days from

the date of this order. A declaration stating the date and method

of such notification is to be filed with the court not later than

thirty (30) days from the date of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 23, 2007

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:06-cv-02088-MCE -EFB Document 18 Filed 05/24/07 Page 3 of 3