Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00562/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00562-8/pdf.json

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

---

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

KEVIN HAGAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

RAUL RECAREY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:22-cv-00562-JLT-EPG

ORDER REGARDING MOTION TO 

WITHDRAW AS ATTORNEY FOR 

PLAINTIFF

(ECF No. 56)

On September 11, 2024, Attorney Benjamin Rudin moved to withdraw as Plaintiff’s 

counsel, “because Plaintiff has rendered carrying out his representation unreasonably difficult.”

(ECF No. 56). 

Local Rule 182 provides that an attorney who has appeared on behalf of a client may not 

withdraw, leaving the client in propria persona, without leave of court:

(d) 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.

E.D. Cal. L.R. 182(d).

Case 1:22-cv-00562-JLT-EPG Document 57 Filed 09/13/24 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

“Withdrawal of an attorney is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State 

Bar of California.” Id. Under those rules, permissive withdrawal of an attorney is allowed when, 

among other things, a client “by other conduct renders it unreasonably difficult for the lawyer to 

carry out the representation effectively.” Cal. Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(b)(4). 

Courts maintain the discretion to grant or deny a motion to withdraw as counsel. LaGrand 

v. Stewart, 133 F.3d 1253, 1269 (9th Cir. 1998). In considering such a motion, courts may 

consider: “(1) the reasons why withdrawal is sought; (2) the prejudice withdrawal may cause to 

other litigants; (3) the harm withdrawal might cause to the administration of justice; and (4) the 

degree to which withdrawal will delay the resolution of the case.” Leatt Corp. v. Innovative Safety 

Tech., LLC, No. 09-CV-1301-IEG (POR), 2010 WL 444708, at *1 (S.D. Cal. Feb. 2, 2010)

(citation omitted). “Leave to withdraw may be granted subject to such appropriate conditions as 

the Court deems fit.” Local Rule 182(d).

Attorney Rudin’s motion to withdraw states that he gave Plaintiff notice of his intent to 

withdraw on August 14, 2024. (ECF No. 56-1 at 2). The motion further states that Attorney Rudin 

anticipates Plaintiff will oppose the motion.1(Id.).

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED as follows:

1. Within 14 days after the date of this order, Plaintiff Kevin Hagan shall file a response in 

support of or in opposition to Attorney Rudin’s motion to withdraw from representation. 

(ECF No. 56).

2. The Clerk of Court is respectfully requested to mail to Plaintiff a copy of this order and a 

copy of Attorney Rudin’s motion to withdraw (ECF No. 56).

\\\

\\\

\\\

\\\

1 Attorney Rudin indicates that he gave Plaintiff notice of his intent to withdraw on August 14, 2024. (ECF 

No. 56-1 at 2). On August 30, 2024, Plaintiff filed a motion to appoint counsel, which was summarily 

denied. (ECF Nos. 53-54).

Case 1:22-cv-00562-JLT-EPG Document 57 Filed 09/13/24 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

3. Attorney Benjamin Rudin is instructed that he shall remain counsel for Plaintiff in this 

case unless and until the Court grants his motion to withdraw.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 12, 2024 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00562-JLT-EPG Document 57 Filed 09/13/24 Page 3 of 3