Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00386/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00386-13/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHNATHAN HILL,

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

C/O J. CLARK, and

C/O A. RIVAS,

 Defendants.

1:13-cv-00386-EPG-PC

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

(ECF No. 58.)

I. BACKGROUND

Johnathan Hill (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding with counsel in this civil 

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This case is scheduled for trial before Magistrate 

Judge Erica P. Grosjean on April 12, 2016.1

On November 23, 2015, the Court issued an order appointing Douglas L. Gordon and 

Aida S. Macedo, of Miles, Sears & Eanni, as pro bono counsel for Plaintiff in this case. (ECF 

No. 64.) On December 22, 2015, Plaintiff’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw their 

representation of Plaintiff pursuant to Local Rule 182(d). (ECF No. 70.)

 

1 The parties have consented to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 636(c), and on 

August 10, 2015, this case was reassigned to Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean for all further proceedings, 

including trial and entry of final judgment. (ECF No. 45.)

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II. LOCAL RULE 182(d) – WITHDRAWAL AS COUNSEL

Local Rule 182(d) provides:

Withdrawal. Unless otherwise provided herein, an attorney who 

has appeared may not withdraw leaving the client in propria 

persona without leave of court upon noticed motion and notice to 

the client and all other parties who have appeared. The attorney 

shall provide an affidavit stating the current or last known 

address or addresses of the client and the efforts made to notify 

the client of the motion to withdraw. Withdrawal as attorney is 

governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar 

of California, and the attorney shall conform to the requirements 

of those Rules. The authority and duty of the attorney of record 

shall continue until relieved by order of the Court issued 

hereunder. Leave to withdraw may be granted subject to such 

appropriate conditions as the Court deems fit.

The decision to grant or deny a motion to withdraw as counsel is committed to the 

sound discretion of the trial court. See LaGrand v. Stewart, 133 F.3d 1253, 1269 (9th Cir. 

1998); Rus, Millband & Smith v. Conkle & Olesten, 113 Cal.App.4th 656, 673 (2003).

Here, Plaintiff’s counsel argues that communications from Plaintiff have created a 

conflict that will preclude counsel from effective representation of Plaintiff. Counsel has 

provided an affidavit as required by Rule 182(d). Upon consideration of the pleadings in this 

matter, the Court finds that counsel’s argument has merit, and the motion to withdraw as 

counsel should be granted. 

Plaintiff is hereby advised that he no longer has an attorney to represent him in this 

case, and in acting as his own counsel, he is responsible for complying with all Court rules and 

applicable laws. Plaintiff is required to keep the Court apprised of his current mailing address 

at all times. Failure to do so, and failure to comply with any order of this Court, may result in 

sanctions, including the dismissal of this action.

III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The motion to withdraw as counsel for Plaintiff, filed by Douglas L. Gordon and 

Aida S. Macedo on December 22, 2015, is GRANTED, and Plaintiff is 

SUBSTITUTED in their place to act as his own counsel; and

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2. The Clerk is DIRECTED to serve a copy of this order on Plaintiff at the 

following address:

Johnathan Hill, P-86443

Kern Valley State Prison

P.O. Box 5103

Delano. CA 93216-6000

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 29, 2015 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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