Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_14-cv-01757/USCOURTS-cand-4_14-cv-01757-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Carolyn W. Colvin
Defendant
Christopher Edward White
Plaintiff

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER EDWARD WHITE,

Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Defendant.

Case No. 14-cv-01757-KAW 

ORDER REQUIRING ADDITIONAL 

INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF 

MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

Dkt. No. 6

On December 17, 2014, attorney Steven I. Shaw filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for 

Plaintiff Christopher Edward White. (Mot., Dkt. No. 6.) As an initial matter, Mr. Shaw did not 

properly notice this motion as required by the Court’s Standing Order, and it must be re-noticed 

for a regular hearing date. Further, Mr. Shaw did not include a supporting declaration from 

Plaintiff confirming his representation that Plaintiff wants to terminate their attorney-client 

relationship.

Additionally, Mr. Shaw represents that “Movant’s withdrawal will not cause any prejudice 

to Plaintiff or further delay in this case.” (Mot. at 2.) To the contrary, this social security case was 

filed on April 16, 2014, and does not appear to have been prosecuted. There is no indication that 

the Commissioner has received notice of the lawsuit. On June 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed a “Notice of 

Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Summons,” but that document does not appear to have 

ever been signed and returned, no certificate of service was filed, and the Government has not 

answered. The Court is particularly concerned because it is uncommon for pro se litigants to 

prevail in social security cases.

Accordingly, on or before February 6, 2015, Mr. Shaw must provide, in writing:

1. A supplemental brief, including relevant case law, explaining why the complaint 

Case 4:14-cv-01757-KAW Document 7 Filed 01/05/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

was not timely served, he has not otherwise prosecuted this case, and why he believes that his 

withdrawal at this late date would not prejudice his client. This brief shall be accompanied by a 

supporting declaration.

2. A declaration from Mr. White confirming that he does not want Mr. Shaw to 

represent him and his reasons for terminating Mr. Shaw’s representation.

As provided above, Plaintiff’s counsel shall re-notice his motion for a date on or after 

February 19, 2015, to provide the Court with sufficient time to review the submissions. Both Mr. 

Shaw and Mr. White shall appear at the forthcoming hearing in person. 

Plaintiff’s counsel shall serve Mr. White with a copy of this order, and any other filings in 

this case, until this motion is resolved. This requires Counsel to electronically file certificates of 

service for every filing to show that he is complying with this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 5, 2015

______________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:14-cv-01757-KAW Document 7 Filed 01/05/15 Page 2 of 2