Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01696/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01696-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 

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16-CV-1696 W (NLS)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

L. LEE BRIGHTWELL,

Plaintiff,

v.

THE MCMILLAN LAW FIRM, APC, 

et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 16-CV-1696 W (NLS)

ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE 

APPLICATION TO WITHDRAW AS 

COUNSEL [DOC. 68]

Pending before the Court is an ex parte application1to withdraw as attorney of 

record for Plaintiff L. Lee Brightwell, filed by Joshua Heinlein of Dinsmore & Shohl 

LLP on September 29, 2017. [Doc. 68.] Despite service of the motion on all parties on 

September 29, 2017, no opposition has been filed. (See Certificate of Service [Doc. 68-

2].)

“The grant or denial of an attorney’s motion to withdraw in a civil case is a matter 

addressed to the discretion of the trial court . . . .” Washington v. Sherwin Real Estate, 

Inc., 694 F.2d 1081, 1087 (7th Cir. 1982). Factors considered in evaluating the 

application include: “1) the reasons why withdrawal is sought; 2) the prejudice

 

1 Mr. Heinlein styles the document as a motion. The Court interprets it as an ex parte application.

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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.” CE Resource, Inc. v Magellan Group, LLC, 2009 WL 3367489, at *2 (E.D.

Cal. Oct. 14, 2009) (citing Canandaigua Wine Co., Inc. v. Moldauer, 2009 WL 89141, at 

*1 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 14, 2009)). 

Given the procedural posture of this case, Mr. Heinlein’s withdrawal will not 

prejudice the litigants in this matter, harm the administration of justice, or delay 

resolution of the case. Ms. Brightwell will continue to be represented through Mr. Joseph 

Leventhal of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. (Heinlein Decl. [Doc. 68-1] ¶ 3.) Ms. Brightwell 

agreed to Mr. Heinlein’s withdrawal. (Id. [Doc. 68-1] ¶ 5.)

For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS the application to withdraw as 

counsel of record in this action for Plaintiff Brightwell. [Doc. 68.]

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 11, 2017

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