Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01376/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01376-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAYMOND ALVANDI, individually and

on behalf of other persons similarly

situated,

Plaintiffs,

v.

NIKOO MANUFACTURING, INC.,

Defendant.

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Civil No. 12cv1376 L (BLM)

ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE

MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS

COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR

DEFENDANT [doc. #20]

DLA Piper is counsel of record for defendant Nikoo Manufacturing Inc. (“Nikoo”).

Counsel now seeks to withdraw as counsel of record because Nikoo has failed to make payment

for services already rendered.

The decision to permit counsel to withdraw is within the sound discretion of the trial

court. United States v. Carter, 560 F.3d 1107, 1113 (9th Cir. 2009). The court must consider

factors such as the reason counsel seeks to withdraw, the possible prejudice caused to the

litigants, and the extent to which withdrawal may delay resolution of the case. Id.

Failure to pay attorney's fees can be a valid ground for withdrawal. See Canandaigua

Wine Co. v. Edwin Moldauer, 2009 WL 89141, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Jan.14, 2009); Cal. Rules of

Professional Conduct Rule 3–700(C)(1)(f). 

Defendant has been given timely notice of the motion. Because the litigation is at an early

12cv1376

Case 3:12-cv-01376-L-BLM Document 21 Filed 01/02/13 Page 1 of 2
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stage, counsel has taken reasonable steps to prevent prejudice against Nikoo and the opposing

party. But defendant is a corporation and thus unable to defend this action pro se. Thus, if Nikoo

does not obtain new counsel, its answer will be stricken and default entered against it. 

 Accordingly, good cause appearing, plaintiff’s ex parte motion to withdraw as counsel is

GRANTED. Nikoo shall obtain counsel within 30 days of this Order. If new counsel does not

make a timely appearance on behalf of Nikoo, plaintiff shall file a request for entry of default

within 14 days of Nikoo’s failure to obtain new counsel. Upon entry of default, plaintiff shall

timely contact the chambers of the undersigned to obtain a hearing date for his motion for

default judgment which should be filed within three days of obtaining the hearing date.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 2, 2013

M. James Lorenz

United States District Court Judge

COPY TO: 

HON. BARBARA L, MAJOR

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL INCLUDING

NIKOO MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED

AMIR PAZULI SHARIF

7545 SHOUP AVE.

WEST HILLS, CA 91307

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Case 3:12-cv-01376-L-BLM Document 21 Filed 01/02/13 Page 2 of 2