Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01857/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01857-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 220
Nature of Suit: Foreclosure
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

----oo0oo----

NANCY A. IBBOTSON,

NO. CIV. S-10-1857 FCD KJM

Plaintiff,

v. MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

AURORA LOAN SERVICES;

HOMECOMING FINANCIAL

NETWORK, INC.; QUALITY LOAN

SERVICES CORPORATION; et al.,

Defendants.

_____________________________/

----oo0oo----

This matter is before the court on the motion of Timothy J.

O’Conner (“O’Conner”) to withdraw as attorney of record for

plaintiff Nancy A. Ibbotson (“plaintiff”). Counsel brings this

motion on the ground that plaintiff terminated his services on

June 24, 2010 by written notice. (O’Conner Decl., filed July 23,

2010.) Counsel has not, however, been able to obtain plaintiff’s

consent to the withdrawal via a signed substitution of counsel. 

Neither plaintiff nor defendants filed an opposition to the

Case 2:10-cv-01857-FCD-KJM Document 8 Filed 08/24/10 Page 1 of 3
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1 Because oral argument will not be of material

assistance, the court orders this matter submitted on the briefs. 

E.D. Cal. L.R. 230(g).

2

motion.1

Local Rule 182(d) provides that attorneys may not withdraw

from an action in which they have appeared without leave of the

court upon noticed Motion. The Local Rule incorporates the

requirements for withdrawal and the Rules of Professional Conduct

of the State Bar of California. The Rules of Professional

Conduct of the State Bar of California provide in pertinent part:

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, complying with

rule 3-700(D), and complying with applicable laws and

rules. 

California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3-700(A)(2). 

Pursuant to California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule

3-700(C), withdrawal is permitted in certain specified

circumstances. Counsel represents that plaintiff no longer

wishes to be represented by him, and he further explains that he

has been unable to communicate with plaintiff in order to

facilitate a substitution of new counsel. Withdrawal is

accordingly warranted under Rule 3-700(C)(5) and 3-700(C)(1)(d),

as the client “knowingly and freely assents to termination” of

the relationship and/or the client’s conduct has rendered it

“unreasonably difficult” for the attorney to carry out the

employment effective.

Counsel has complied with the statutory requirements by

notifying plaintiff of the pending motion. (O’Conner Decl.) 

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3

Further, this case is in its preliminary stages (no scheduling

order is in place and only one defendant, Aurora Loan Services,

LLC, has filed a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6)), and

thus, there is no prejudice to plaintiff as a result of the grant

of counsel’s motion.

Accordingly, based upon the materials submitted by counsel,

the motion to withdraw as attorney of record is GRANTED. In

withdrawing, counsel shall comply with the requirements of

California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3-700(D). 

As plaintiff now appears in this action pro per, pursuant to

Local Rule 302(c)(21), this case is hereby referred to the

assigned Magistrate Judge, Kimberly J. Mueller, for case

management and recommendation(s) to the District Court Judge. 

The parties are to contact Matt Caspar at 916-930-4187 with

regard to further case management. The Clerk of the Court is

directed to add plaintiff to the service list as follows: Nancy

A. Ibbotson, 10015 Cristo Drive, Sacramento, CA 95829.

The hearing on defendant’s motion to dismiss (Docket #5)

currently set for September 10, 2010 before the undersigned is

HEREBY VACATED. Defendant shall re-notice its motion before

Magistrate Judge Mueller. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: August 24, 2010

 

FRANK C. DAMRELL, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:10-cv-01857-FCD-KJM Document 8 Filed 08/24/10 Page 3 of 3