Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-02845/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-02845-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 850
Nature of Suit: Securities, Commodities, Exchange
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question: Securities Violation

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH SHORTAL; JOHN

STAMATIS; PAUL BARDEN;

KENNETH VAUGHAN; MICHAEL

SIMON, 

Plaintiffs,

 vs. 

HESSGEN, INC.; BRIAN HESS;

ANDY MILLS; DOES 1-10, inclusive,

 Defendants.

CASE NO. 12cv2845 WQH (NLS)

ORDER

HESSGEN, INC.; BRIAN HESS, 

 Cross Claimants,

 vs. 

JACK MOTT; ANDY MILLS; ROES 1-

10, inclusive,

Cross Defendants.

ANDY MILLS, 

 Cross Claimant,

 vs. 

GEORGE MALASEK; DAVID

RUTKOSKE; BRIAN HESS;

HESSGEN, INC.; JACK MOTT,

Cross Defendants.

HAYES, Judge:

The matter before the Court is the Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record for

Defendants/Cross-Complainants/Cross-Defendants Hessgen, Inc. and Brian Hess

(“Motion to Withdraw”) filed by the La Jolla Law Group (“LJLG”). (ECF No. 40).

- 1 - 12cv2845 WQH (NLS)

Case 3:12-cv-02845-WQH-NLS Document 41 Filed 06/20/13 Page 1 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

On June 11, 2013, LJLG filed a motion to withdraw as counsel of record for

Hessgen, Inc. and Brian Hess “on the grounds that, despite extensive attempts over the

last several weeks, LJLG has been unable and continues to be unable to adequately

communicate with [Hessgen, Inc. and Brian Hess], severely prejudicing LJLG’s ability

to defend the allegations of the Complaint and Cross-Complaint ..., as well as prosecute

[Hessgen, Inc. and Brian Hess’] Cross-Complaint.” (ECF No. 40 at 2). The motion

also asserts that Hessgen, Inc. and Brian Hess have breached their fee agreement with

LJLG by failing to pay for services rendered and costs incurred in this action. See id. 

An attorney may not withdraw as counsel except by leave of court. Darby v. City

of Torrance, 810 F. Supp. 275, 276 (C.D. Cal. 1992). “The decision to grant or deny

counsel’s motion to withdraw is committed to the discretion of the trial court.” Irwin

v. Mascott, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28264, at *4 (N.D. Cal. December 1, 2004) (citing

Washington v. Sherwin Real Estate, Inc., 694 F.2d 1081, 1087 (7th Cir. 1982)). Among

other things, courts ruling upon motions to withdraw as counsel have considered the

following factors: “(1) the reasons why withdrawal is sought; (2) the prejudice

withdrawal may cause to other litigants; (3) the harm withdrawal might cause to the

administration of justice; and (4) the degree to which withdrawal will delay the

resolution of the case.” Irwin, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28264, at *4.

In the Southern District of California, Local Civil Rule 83.3(g)(3) provides: “A

notice of motion to withdraw as attorney of record must be served on the adverse party

and on the moving attorney's client.... A declaration pertaining to such service must be

filed. Failure to make service as required by this section or to file the required

declaration of service will result in a denial of the motion.” Civ. L.R. 83.3(g)(3). Local

Civil Rule 83.4(b) requires counsel to “comply with the standards of professional

conduct required of members of the State Bar of California,” and states that “[t]his

specification will not be interpreted to be exhaustive of the standards of conduct.” Civ.

L.R. 83.4(b).

California Rule of Professional Conduct 3-700 provides:

- 2 - 12cv2845 WQH (NLS)

Case 3:12-cv-02845-WQH-NLS Document 41 Filed 06/20/13 Page 2 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

(A) In General

(1) If permission for termination of employment is required by the rules of a tribunal, a member shall not withdraw from employment in a

proceeding before that tribunal without its permission.

(2) A member shall not withdraw from employment until the member has taken reasonable steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable prejudice to the rights of the client, including giving due notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, ... and complying with applicable laws and rules....

(C) Permissive Withdrawal

[A] member may not request permission to withdraw in matters pending before a tribunal, and may not withdraw in other matters, unless such

request or such withdrawal is because:

(1) The client ... renders it unreasonably difficult for the member to carry out the employment effectively, or ... breaches an agreement or obligation to the member as to expenses or fees....

Rules Prof. Conduct, rule 3–700.

LJLG submits the declaration of its attorney of record in this case, Kent L. Sharp,

who states:

This Motion is necessary due to me and my staff’s inability to

communicate with our clients, the HESSGEN parties. 

HESS responded to one of my multiple attempts to contact him and on April 29, 2013, I met with HESS to discuss the above-stated issues

regarding his failure to communicate regarding the instant litigation. As said meeting, I advised HESS that should he continue to not timely respond to emails and telephone calls from my office, as well as pay his outstanding invoice for services performed and costs expended on his

behalf by Wednesday, May 15, 2013, then LJLG would have no choice

but to withdraw as his and HESSGEN, INC.’s counsel of record.

After not responding to additional emails I sent him or returning further telephone calls, and after not paying the outstanding invoice as HESS agreed at the meeting he had with me on April 29, 2013, I sent final correspondence to HESS on May 22, 2013, ... advis[ing] HESS that LJLG would be withdrawing as the HESSGEN parties’ counsel of record.... 

As of the date of filing this Motion, HESS has failed to respond to emails sent to him by me or LJLG’s Paralegal, Stacie Rammelsberg, regarding status of the foregoing and has failed to pay the outstanding invoice due

and owing to LJLG....

Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.3(g)(3), I have caused the instant Motion to be served on the HESSGEN parties via U.S. Mail and via email to BRIAN HESS’s last known address and current email address....

- 3 - 12cv2845 WQH (NLS)

Case 3:12-cv-02845-WQH-NLS Document 41 Filed 06/20/13 Page 3 of 4
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

I have also served all parties to this action with this Motion via the Court’s

electronic service as required by Local Civil Rule 83.3(g)(3), and have

served pro per defendant David Rutkoske via U.S. Mail.

(ECF No. 40-2 at 2-4).

Based upon this record, the Court finds that LJLG and Sharp have complied with

the relevant rules of professional conduct. The Court concludes that good cause exists

to permit withdrawal. The Motion to Withdraw (ECF No. 40) is GRANTED. Within

ten (10) days of the date of this Order, LJLG shall serve a copy of this Order on Brian

Hess and Hessgen, Inc, and file a certificate of that service with the Court. See Fed. R.

Civ. P. 5.

Within sixty (60) days of the date of this Order, Brian Hess shall notify the

Court as to whether he will proceed pro se or retain new counsel. Pursuant to Local

Civil Rule 83.3(k) and federal common law, “[c]orporations and other unincorporated

associations must appear in court through an attorney.” D-Beam Ltd. P’ship v. Roller

Derby Skates, Inc., 366 F.3d 972, 973-74 (9th Cir. 2004); see also United States v. High

Country Broad. Co., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993). Accordingly, Hessgen, Inc. is

HEREBY NOTIFIED that it has sixty (60) days from the date this Order is filed to

obtain new counsel and have counsel file a notice of appearance. Hessgen, Inc. is also

notified that if it fails to obtain new counsel and have counsel file a notice of

appearance, it may be subject to default proceedings. See High Country Broadcasting,

3 F.3d at 1245. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: June 20, 2013

WILLIAM Q. HAYES

United States District Judge

- 4 - 12cv2845 WQH (NLS)

Case 3:12-cv-02845-WQH-NLS Document 41 Filed 06/20/13 Page 4 of 4