Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_16-cv-04392/USCOURTS-cand-5_16-cv-04392-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans w/ Disabilities Act (ADA)

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

MIKEL HARRIS,

Plaintiff,

v.

JT HOSPITALITY, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 16-cv-04392-BLF 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL FOR 

DEFENDANTS PRAVIN PATEL AND 

NAINA PATEL

[Re: ECF 73]

Before the Court is a motion by Cris C. Vaughan (“Movant”) to withdraw as counsel for 

Defendants Pravin Patel and Naina Patel (the “Patels”). Mot., ECF 73. Movant represents that 

“the conduct of the Patels has rendered it unreasonably difficult” for Movant to effectively 

represent them in this matter. Id. at 1. According to Movant, the Patels and Movant have not been 

able to agree on a course of action and the Patels have stated their intent to retain new counsel. Id.

at 2. The Patels have been served with a copy of the instant motion. ECF 73-2. The Patels did 

not file an opposition. Plaintiff Mikel Harris (“Harris”) does not oppose the motion but requests 

that Movant be subject to the condition that papers may continue to be served on Movant for 

forwarding purposes. Response 2, ECF 83. On May 10, 2018, the Court held a hearing on 

Movant’s motion to withdraw as counsel.1 Upon considering the briefing as well as Plaintiff and 

Movant’s oral arguments, the Court rules as follows. 

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

Young v. Chapman, No. 11-CV-01083, 2018 WL 679464, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 1, 2018) (citing 

 

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The Court previously ordered the Patels to personally appear at the hearing. ECF 84, 85. Pravin 

Patel appeared late and Naina Patel was unable to personally appear due to an illness. As such, the 

Court finds that the Patels did not fail to comply with the order.

Case 5:16-cv-04392-BLF Document 87 Filed 05/15/18 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

United States v. Carter, 560 F.3d 1107, 1113 (9th Cir. 2009)). The Court finds that Movant has 

provided sufficient reasons to justify Movant’s withdrawal of counsel for the Patels. The Patels 

and Movant have irreconcilable differences on how to advance this matter and thus Movant is 

unable to carry out effective representation. Vaughan Decl. ¶ 2, ECF 73-1. The Patels have stated 

their intent to retain new counsel. Id. The withdrawal will not prejudice the parties because 

Movant stated during the hearing that he will provide the Patels’ business address and email 

address which Movant has been using to successfully communicate with the Patels. The Court 

therefore GRANTS Movant’s motion to withdraw as counsel. The Court declines Plaintiff’s 

request to impose the condition that papers may continue to be served on Movant for forwarding 

purposes because Movant has agreed to provide the Patels’ contact information to Plaintiff.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

(1) Movant’s motion to withdraw as counsel for Defendants Pravin Patel and Naina Patel

is GRANTED.

(2) Movant shall provide, in writing, the Patels’ business address(es) and email address(es) 

that Movant has been using to successfully communicate with the Patels. Movant shall provide 

such contact information in writing within seven (7) days of this order. 

(3) Movant shall serve a copy of this order as well as the Court’s order granting in part and 

denying in part Plaintiff’s motion to enforce the settlement agreement and the Judgment on 

Defendants. Movant shall file a certificate of service. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 15, 2018

______________________________________

BETH LABSON FREEMAN

United States District Judge

Case 5:16-cv-04392-BLF Document 87 Filed 05/15/18 Page 2 of 2