Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06417/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06417-3/pdf.json

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

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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

GAIL SUTTON and DANIELLE SUTTON,

Plaintiffs,

 v

WALTER HOLZ, JR and VICTORIAN

CARE HOMES OF THE MONTEREY

PENINSULA, INC, 

Defendants.

 /

No C 06-6417 VRW

ORDER

Plaintiffs’ counsel have moved to withdraw from

representing plaintiffs Gail Sutton and Danielle Sutton in this

matter. Doc ## 125-26. The papers submitted in support of the

motion include a proof of service dated October 3, 2007 that

includes the plaintiffs, Gail and Danielle Sutton. Doc # 126. 

In their declarations and memorandum, attorneys Shawn

Ridgell and Nancy N Lawlor cite California Rule of Professional

Conduct 3-700(C) and assert, inter alia, that “because of the

Plaintiffs’ conduct, it has become unreasonably difficult * * * to

represent Plaintiffs” (Doc # 123 at 2) and that plaintiffs “have

refused to provide us with further information about their case

upon our requests, and have caused a fracture in the

Case 3:06-cv-06417-VRW Document 127 Filed 10/09/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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attorney/client relationship such that our firm has no choice but

to withdraw.” Doc # 124 at 2. They also offer to present further

evidence in support of their motion by means of an in camera

proceeding. Id. The attorneys assert that plaintiffs will not be

prejudiced by their withdrawal. Ridgell’s declaration, signed

October 2, 2007, states that he “gave plaintiffs and the other

parties in this action over one month’s written notice of our

intention to withdraw as counsel in this matter.” Doc # 125.

Civil Local Rule 11-5(a) permits withdrawal from

representation with leave of court “after written notice has been

given reasonably in advance to the client and to all other parties

in who have appeared in the case.” 

The court now rules as follows: 

1. For good cause shown, the motion by plaintiffs’

counsel Shawn Ridgell and Nancy N Lawlor is GRANTED. Given that

plaintiffs have received adequate notice of their attorneys’ intent

to withdraw, this order is effective immediately. Ridgell and

Lawlor will fulfill their responsibilities under California Rule of

Professional Conduct 3-700(D) pertaining to papers, property and

fees within fourteen (14) days. 

2. All proceedings in this matter, including the hearing

scheduled for Thursday, October 11 at 2:00 pm, will go forward as

scheduled. Ridgell and Lawlor need not appear. 

3. Plaintiffs will resume representing themselves as pro

se litigants as they have done in this and several other matters

before this court. 

\\

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Case 3:06-cv-06417-VRW Document 127 Filed 10/09/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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4. Counsel and the clerk of court will forthwith begin

serving papers pertaining to this matter on plaintiffs at their

address of record, PO Box 201, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

Case 3:06-cv-06417-VRW Document 127 Filed 10/09/07 Page 3 of 3