Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-05171/USCOURTS-cand-4_06-cv-05171-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 362
Nature of Suit: Medical Malpractice
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Personal Injury

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID COLLINS, et al.,

Plaintiffs, No. C 06-5171 PJH

v. ORDER

UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER, 

et al.,

Defendants.

_______________________________/

The above-entitled action was removed from the Superior Court of California, 

County of Mendocino, on August 24, 2006, by defendant United States of America,

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1441(a), (e), and 2679(d)(2), and 42 U.S.C. § 233. 

On August 25, 2006, the United States filed a motion to dismiss, for failure to

exhaust administrative remedies under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The motion to dismiss

was noticed for hearing on October 5, 2006. Under the Civil Local Rules of this court,

plaintiffs’ opposition to the motion to dismiss was due on September 14, 2006. 

On August 30, 2006, the Mendocino County Superior Court granted the previouslyfiled motion of plaintiffs’ counsel Douglas C. Fladseth to withdraw as counsel. On

September 25, 2006, the United States filed a “notice of non-opposition” to its motion to

dismiss, noting that plaintiffs had filed no opposition, and requesting that the court dismiss

the United States from the action. On October 6, 2006, Mr. Fladseth filed a copy of the

August 30, 2006, order granting his request to withdraw as counsel. On October 12, 2006,

the United States re-noticed the hearing on the motion to dismiss, for November 29, 2006.

The order allowing Mr. Fladseth to withdraw as counsel has no effect in this court,

because the case was removed before the Superior Court issued the order. Mr. Fladseth

Case 4:06-cv-05171-PJH Document 16 Filed 10/17/06 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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was counsel of record for plaintiffs at the time of removal, and he can be relieved as

counsel only by order of this court. If Mr, Fladseth still seeks to be relieved as counsel, he

must file a motion, noticed for hearing before this court. Both Mr. Fladseth and his clients –

plaintiffs David Collins, Nicholas Schenck, and Jeremy Schenck – must attend the hearing,

as must any defendants that have appeared in the case to date (or their counsel).

The motion shall be filed no later than October 25, 2006. Any opposition to the

motion shall be filed no later than November 1, 2006. The court will hear the motion on

Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom 3, 17th Floor of the Federal

Building, 450 Golden Gate, San Francisco, California. 

The hearing on the motion to dismiss, previously set for November 29, 2006, is

VACATED. If necessary, the United States may re-notice the motion after the hearing on

the motion to withdraw as counsel.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 17, 2006 ______________________________

PHYLLIS J. HAMILTON

United States District Judge

Case 4:06-cv-05171-PJH Document 16 Filed 10/17/06 Page 2 of 2