Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01058/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01058-8/pdf.json

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

---

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

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ST VENTURES, LLC, a Utah corporation,

Plaintiff,

v.

KBA ASSETS AND ACQUISITIONS, 

LLC, a Nevada corporation; BEN 

PENFIELD, an individual; ASSET 

PLACEMENT LIMITED, a UK 

corporation; SUSAN GEORGINA GILLIS, 

an individual; PAUL WINDWOOD, an 

individual; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a 

national banking association; and DOES 1 

THROUGH 50,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:12-cv-01058-LJO-SMS

ORDER GRANTING MOTION OF 

TENENBAUM LAW FIRM TO 

WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY FOR 

DEFENDANTS KBA ASSETS AND 

ACQUISITIONS, LLC, AND 

BEN PENFIELD

(Docs. 58 and 59)

On August 7, 2013, the Tenenbaum Law Firm, attorneys for Defendants KBA Assets and 

Acquisitions, LLC, and Ben Penfield, moved to withdraw as counsel, stating that although both 

Defendants KBA Assets and Ben Penfield agreed to Tenenbaum's withdrawal as counsel and 

indicated that they had retained other counsel, neither Defendant had acted to file a substitution of 

counsel, and communication between Defendants and Tenenbaum had thereafter broken down

Case 1:12-cv-01058-LJO-SMS Document 63 Filed 09/11/13 Page 1 of 3
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

2

(Docs. 58, 59, and 61). Neither Defendants KBA Assets and Ben Penfield, nor other party, have 

filed opposition to Tenenbaum's motion. 

This Court has reviewed the papers and has determined that this matter is suitable for 

decision without oral argument pursuant to Local Rule 78-230(h). Having considered all written 

materials submitted, the Court orders that Tenenbaum's motion for leave to withdraw be granted. 

Attorneys may generally withdraw from representation upon the request of the client. 

Local Rule 83-182(d) provides, in pertinent part, “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.” See Cal.R.P.C. 3-700(C)(5) (permitting an attorney to withdraw 

from representation in a pending matter when the client “knowingly and freely consents to 

termination of the employment”) and (5)(d) (permitting an attorney to withdraw when 

representation has become unreasonably difficult).

California’s rules require the notice of motion and declaration to be served on the client and 

all other parties who have appeared in the case. CRC 3.1362(d). All parties have been served with 

the notice of motion to withdraw.

Defendants KBA Assets and Ben Penfield are advised that failure to take appropriate 

legal action may result in serious legal consequences, and consideration of obtaining legal 

assistance is strongly advised. 

In addition, a “corporation may appear in the federal courts only through licensed 

counsel.” Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993). See also Local Rule 

183(a) (providing that a corporation or other entity may appear only by an attorney). A 

president or shareholder may not represent a corporation in court but must retain 

appropriate licensed counsel. United States v. High Country Broadcasting Co., Inc., 3 F.3d 

1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 826 (1994). 

Case 1:12-cv-01058-LJO-SMS Document 63 Filed 09/11/13 Page 2 of 3
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

3

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED:

1. The Motion to Withdraw as Counsel for Defendants KBA Assets and Acquisition 

and Ben Penfield, brought by the Tenenbaum Law Firm, is GRANTED.

2. The Tenenbaum Law Firm shall serve Defendants KBA Assets and Acquisitions and 

Ben Penfield with copies of this order within ten (10) days. 

3. The Tenenbaum Law Firm shall send all documents composing the file of 

Defendants to each Defendant or its successor counsel at such address as that Defendant may 

designate within thirty (30) days of this order.

4. Within thirty (30) days of this order, each Defendant shall file with the Clerk of 

Court notice of its successor counsel's name, address, and telephone number. In the event that 

either Defendant may legally proceed in propria person and elects to do so, that Defendant shall 

notify the Clerk of Court of its intent to so proceed and of its address and telephone number.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 10, 2013 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

icido34h

Case 1:12-cv-01058-LJO-SMS Document 63 Filed 09/11/13 Page 3 of 3