Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02540/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02540-23/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 850
Nature of Suit: Securities, Commodities, Exchange
Cause of Action: 7:6(b) Federal Commodity Exchange Regulation

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES

TRADING COMMISSION,

Plaintiff,

v.

GILBERT PHILIP CASTILLO, JR.,

et al.,

Defendants.

NO. C06-2540 TEH 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION

TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

This matter comes before the Court on Mr. Antonio L. Cortés’s motion to withdraw as

counsel for Defendant Gilbert Philip Castillo, Jr. This motion is currently set for hearing on

April 21, 2008, but the Court finds the matter suitable for resolution without oral argument,

as no opposition has been received and the time for filing an opposition has now passed. 

Consequently, the Court now VACATES the April 21, 2008 motion hearing date and

GRANTS Mr. Cortés’s motion to withdraw for the reasons discussed below.

 California Rule of Professional Conduct 3-700(C)(1)(f) allows for permissive

withdrawal of an attorney if his or her client “breaches an agreement or obligation to the

[attorney] as to expenses or fees.” In this case, Mr. Cortés filed a declaration, under penalty

of perjury, stating that Mr. Castillo “failed to make the last two installments of the initial

retainer he agreed to make” and that Mr. Castillo “now has a balance due on his account and

is claiming inability to pay.” Cortés Decl. ¶ 2. Mr. Castillo has submitted no declaration or

other evidence disputing the truth of these statements. Thus, the California Rules of

Professional Conduct allow for Mr. Cortés’s permissive withdrawal from this case.

Before he can withdraw, however, Mr. Cortés must also comply with California Rule

of Professional Conduct 3-700(A)(2), which provides that counsel “shall not withdraw from

employment until [he or she] has taken reasonable steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable

Case 3:06-cv-02540-TEH Document 136 Filed 04/10/08 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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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.” Rule 3-700(D), in turn, requires counsel to release all client

property to the client, including files, pleadings, exhibits, transcripts, and other materials. 

Similarly, Civil Local Rule 11-5(a) provides that counsel may not withdraw “until relieved

by order of Court after written notice has been given reasonably in advance to the client and

to all other parties who have appeared in the case.” The Court finds that Mr. Cortés has

given ample notice in this case to both Mr. Castillo and counsel for Plaintiff United States

Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Because Mr. Castillo has already signed a

settlement agreement in this case, and this matter is only awaiting formal approval of the

settlement by the Commission, Mr. Cortés’s withdrawal also will not prejudice the rights of

his client.

Accordingly, with good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that

Mr. Cortés’s motion to withdraw is GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr. Cortés shall promptly comply with the requirements of California Rule of

Professional Conduct 3-700(D).

2. Pursuant to Civil Local Rule 11-5(b), papers shall continue to be served on

Mr. Cortés for forwarding purposes unless and until Mr. Castillo appears by other counsel or

pro se. Mr. Cortés shall provide written notification to Mr. Castillo of this condition.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 04/10/08 

THELTON E. HENDERSON, JUDGE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Case 3:06-cv-02540-TEH Document 136 Filed 04/10/08 Page 2 of 2