Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_19-cv-00398/USCOURTS-casd-3_19-cv-00398-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity Action

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3:19-cv-00398 W (MDD)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SWAD AKPAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

TARGET CORPORATION, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 3:19-cv-00398 W (MDD)

ORDER GRANTING ATTORNEYS’ 

MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS 

COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF SWAD 

AKPAN [DOC. 24]

Pending before the Court is a motion to withdraw as attorney of record for Plaintiff

Swad Akpan, filed by Michael Weitz of Blanchard, Krasner & French on November 21, 

2019. [Doc. 24.] All parties have been served, and although Counsel for Target 

Corporation does not oppose Counsel for Plaintiff’s Motion to Withdraw, Counsel for 

Defendant Target Corporation has expressed reservations regarding Plaintiff’s capacity to 

find adequate representation. [Doc. 27.]

“The decision to grant or deny counsel’s motion to withdraw is committed to the 

discretion of the trial court.” Irwin v. Mascott, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28264 (N.D. Cal. 

Dec. 1, 2004) (citing 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 withdrawal may cause to other litigants; 3) the 

harm withdrawal might cause to the administration of justice; and 4) the degree to which 

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3:19-cv-00398 W (MDD)

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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)). 

Attorneys contend they should be allowed to withdraw as counsel for Plaintiff 

Akpan because there is good cause under the California Rules of Professional Conduct. 

[Doc. 24-3.] Attorneys have notified and served a copy of this motion on the Plaintiff 

and on the other parties. (Weitz Decl. [Doc. 24-1] ¶¶ 6, 7.) 

Given the procedural posture of this case, withdrawal will not prejudice the 

litigants in this matter, harm the administration of justice, or delay resolution of the case. 

Defendant Target Corporation’s concerns regarding Plaintiff’s competency may be 

resolved at the Mandatory Settlement Conference currently scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on 

February 18, 2020. 

For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS the motion to withdraw as counsel 

of record in this action for Plaintiff Akpan. [Doc. 24]. The Court FURTHER ORDERS 

Blanchard, Krasner & French to provide a copy of this order to Plaintiff Akpan upon its 

issuance. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 7, 2020

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