Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-05222/USCOURTS-cand-5_05-cv-05222-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Other Contract

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

Case No. C 05-05222 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEYS OF RECORD

(JFLC1)

**E-Filed 5/22/06**

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

TCGIVEGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

PVT, LTD.,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

KARNA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., et al.,

 Defendants.

Case Number C 05-05222 JF (HRL)

ORDER1 GRANTING MOTION TO

WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEYS OF

RECORD

[re: docket no. 33]

On December 16, 2005, Plaintiff TCGIvega Information Technologies PVT, LTD.

(“TCGIvega”) filed a complaint against Defendants Karna Global Technologies, Inc. (“Karna”),

Kannan R. Ayyar (“Ayyar”), Jnana R. Dash, and Gregory D. Hawkins, alleging six claims for

relief. TCGIvega alleges that Karna and Ayyar breached their contractual obligation to pay

$312,000 for services performed by TCGIvega. It is further alleged that Ayyar, a director and

officer of Karna, commingled his personal funds with those of the corporation such that there

was a unity of interest and ownership between Ayyar and Karna. On April 14, 2006, Murray &

Murray, A Professional Corporation (“Murray”), filed a motion to withdraw as attorneys of

Case 5:05-cv-05222-JF Document 44 Filed 05/22/06 Page 1 of 4
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Case No. C 05-05222 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEYS OF RECORD

(JFLC1)

record for Karna and Ayyar. Defendants did not file any opposition to this motion, nor did they

appear at the May 19, 2006 hearing. 

Counsel shall not withdraw from an action until relieved by order of the Court after

reasonable advance written notice has been given to the client and to all other parties who have

appeared in the case. Civil L.R. 11-5 (a). In the Northern District of California, the conduct of

counsel is governed by the standards of professional conduct required of members of the State

Bar of California, including the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California. 

Elan Transdermal Limited v. Cygnus Therapeutic Systems, 809 F. Supp. 1383, 1387 (N.D. Cal.

1992). Under those standards, an attorney may request permission to withdraw in matters where

the client’s conduct renders it unreasonably difficult for the attorney to represent the client

effectively or breaches an agreement or obligation as to expenses or fees. Cal. Rules of

Professional Conduct Rules 3-700(C)(1)(d) and (f). 

Murray moves to withdraw as attorneys of record on the grounds that Defendants’

conduct has made it unreasonably difficult for Murray to represent Defendants effectively and

that Defendants have breached their agreement to pay Murray’s expenses and fees. The terms of

engagement between Murray and Ayyar require that Ayyar pay the monthly invoices for services

rendered by Murray. Jordan Decl., ¶ 2. The terms of engagement between Murray and Karna

require Karna to pay a $5,000 retainer and to replenish the retainer whenever it is reduced to

under $1,000. Id. However, despite repeated requests from Murray, Ayyar has not paid the

outstanding invoices and Karna has not paid the retainer. Id., ¶¶ 3, 4. On April 11, 2006, Murray

advised Ayyar and Karna that it would withdraw as counsel if they continued to fail to pay the

outstanding fees. Id., ¶ 5. At the time the instant motion was filed, Ayyar and Karna had not

paid the outstanding fees. Id. Because Murray has notified Ayyar, Karna, and opposing counsel

of its intent to withdraw, and Ayyar and Karna’s have breached their obligation to pay Murray’s

fees, this Court will grant Murray’s motion to withdraw as attorneys of record for Ayyar and

Karna.

When withdrawal by an attorney is not accompanied by simultaneous appearance of

substitute counsel or agreement of the party to appear pro se, leave to withdraw may be subject to

Case 5:05-cv-05222-JF Document 44 Filed 05/22/06 Page 2 of 4
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Case No. C 05-05222 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEYS OF RECORD

(JFLC1)

the condition that papers may continue to be served on counsel for forwarding purposes, unless

and until the client appears by other counsel or pro se. Civil L.R. 11-5(b). Accordingly, the

Court will continue to serve papers on Murray until Karna appears by other counsel and Ayyar

appears by other counsel or pro se, or until the case is terminated. The Court will also serve

Ayyar and Karna directly.

Additionally, the Court will require Ayyar—and a representative of Karna, if other than

Ayyar—to appear in person at the next Case Management Conference, scheduled for July 7, 2006

at 10:30 a.m.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 22, 2006

 

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

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Case No. C 05-05222 JF (HRL)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEYS OF RECORD

(JFLC1)

This Order has been served upon the following persons:

Michael Terrance Conway mconway@lpgk.com, mtclpgk@optonline.net

Stephanie Kain Ferrill sferrill@murraylaw.com,

Robert A. Franklin rfranklin@murraylaw.com, bobF_94303@yahoo.com

Cheryl A. Jordan cajordan@murraylaw.com, cj_ma@hotmail.com

Johnny Vinh Phan johnny@chugh.com, paul.phan@chugh.com

Michael W. Stebbins mstebbins@terra-law.com, mgood@terra-law.com;

jgiacalone@terra-law.com

Karna Global Technologies, Inc.

c/o Kannan Ayyar, President & CEO Karna Global Technologies, Inc.

2025 Gateway Place, Suite 200

San Jose, CA 95110-1000

Karna Ayyar

2025 Gateway Place, Suite 200

San Jose, CA 95110-1000

Case 5:05-cv-05222-JF Document 44 Filed 05/22/06 Page 4 of 4