Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01242/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01242-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Victor Jones
Plaintiff
Richard Moore
Defendant
TW & Company
Defendant
The Tanya Walker Corporation
Defendant
Tanya Walker
Defendant
Mark Wood
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On May 17, 2012, the law firm of Pargament & Hallowell, PLLC (“Pargament”) filed a 

motion to withdraw as counsel for Defendants TW & Company, Inc. (“TW”), Richard Moore, and 

Mark Wood (collectively, “Defendants”). (Doc. 25-1). Pargament contends that TW has breached its 

obligation to pay Pargament its expenses/fees. As a result, Counsel seeks to withdraw from the 

representation of Defendants. For the reasons discussed below, the motion to withdraw is 

GRANTED.

I. Factual and Procedural History

Plaintiff Victor Jones initially filed this action against Defendants on May 31, 2011 in the Kern 

County Superior Court. (Doc. 3). Defendants removed the matter to this Court on July 27, 2011. 

(Doc. 2). Initially, the law firm of Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb & Kimball, LLP 

(“KDG”) appeared as counsel for Defendants. (Doc. 2). Defendants filed their answer on September 

VICTOR JONES,

 Plaintiff,

v.

TW & COMPANY, INCORPORATED DBA

THE TANYA WALKER CORPORATION, 

et al.,

Defendant.

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Case No.: 1:11-cv-01242 AWI JLT

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW 

AS COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS

(Doc. 25)

Case 1:11-cv-01242-JLT Document 31 Filed 06/20/12 Page 1 of 4
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15, 2010. (Doc. 5). On September 22, 2011, Pargament filed an application to appear pro hac vice to 

also represent Defendants. (Doc. 16). The Court granted Pargament’s request. (Doc. 17).

On April 18, 2012, TW filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy 

Court for the District of Maryland.1 (Doc. 25-1 at 2; see also In re TW & Co., Inc., Case No. 12-

17363 (Bankr. D. Md. 2012)). Pargament contends that TW is substantially in arrears in paying the 

fees and expenses owed to Pargament. (Doc. 25-1). Pargament asserts that this fact, along with the 

likely liquidation of TW through the bankruptcy proceedings, makes it likely that TW will not be able 

to pay future expenses incurred by Pargament for continued representation of Defendants. (Doc. 25-1

at 3-4 (citing Cal. R.P.C. 3-700(C)(1)(f).

On June 18, 2012, counsel filed the notice of filing bankruptcy. (Doc. 27)

II. Legal Standard 

Withdrawal of counsel is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of 

California, and the Local Rules of the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. See 

LR 182. The withdrawal of representation is permitted under the Rules of Professional Conduct if a 

client “renders it unreasonably difficult for the member to carry out employment effectively.” Cal. 

R.P.C. 3-700(C)(1)(d). Local Rule 182(d) provides: 

Unless otherwise provided herein, an attorney who has appeared may not withdraw 

leaving the client in propria persona without leave of court upon noticed motion and notice 

to the client and all other parties who have appeared. The attorney shall provide an 

affidavit stating the current or last known address or addresses of the client and the efforts 

made to notify the client of the motion to withdraw. 

Id.

Likewise, California’s Rules of Court require the notice of motion and declaration to be served 

on the client and other parties who have appeared in the case. CRC 3.1362(d). The decision to grant 

withdrawal is within the discretion of the Court, and leave “may be granted subject to such appropriate 

conditions as the Court deems fit.” LR 182; see also Canandaigua Wine Co., Inc. v. Moldauer, 2009 

U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4238, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 13, 2009). The factors the Court may consider include: 

(1) the reasons for withdrawal, (2) prejudice that may be caused to the other litigants, (3) harm caused 

 

1 Because a notice of filing bankruptcy was filed on June 18, 2012 (Doc. 27), herewith, the Court 

issues an order staying the matter.

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to the administration of justice; and (4) delay to the resolution of the case caused by withdrawal. 

Canandaigua Wine Co., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4238, at *4. 

III. Discussion and Analysis 

Pargament contends that they are unable to continue their representation of Defendants because 

the Defendants are unable to pay counsel’s fees and expenses in this action and will continue to be 

unable to pay due to the pending bankruptcy proceedings. (Doc. 25-1 at 2). 

Pargament has served notice of the motion to withdraw upon all Defendants via certified mail. 

(Doc. 25-3). The declaration of Jeffrey Pargament, in support of Pargament’s motion, states that he 

personally contact all Defendants in mid-April 2012 to inform them of Pargament’s intent to withdraw 

as counsel. (Doc. 25-2 at 3). Attorney Pargament represents that none of the Defendants opposed 

Pargament’s withdrawal as counsel. (Doc. 25-2 at 3). The fact that no defendant has responded to 

Pargament’s motion supports attorney Pargament’s representations. Pargament has likewise provided 

the last known address for Defendants, as required by LR 182. (Doc. 25-3). 

The Court has not received any objection to the motion to withdraw. Moreover, given the stay 

imposed by the filing of the bankruptcy action, it does not appear harm would be caused to the 

administration of justice or that delay to the resolution of the action will be caused by counsel’s 

withdrawal.

IV. Conclusion and Order 

Pargament has followed the procedural and substantive requirements set forth in the California 

Rules of Professional Conduct and the Local Rules in filing the motion to withdraw its representation 

of Defendants TW & COMPANY, INC., RICHARD MOORE, AND MARK WOOD, and has set 

forth sufficient reasons for the withdrawal. Therefore, the Court is acting within its discretion to grant 

the motion to withdraw. See LR 182. 

Accordingly, the Court ORDERS:

1. The motion to withdraw is GRANTED; 

2. The Clerk’s Office SHALL TERMINATE Frank C. Gulin and Jeffrey J. Pargament, 

with the law firm of Pargament & Hallowell, as “Attorneys to be Noticed” for 

Defendants TW & COMPANY, INC., RICHARD MOORE, AND MARK WOOD in 

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the Court docket and update the docket to reflect Defendants’ last known contact 

information as follows: 

RICHARD MOORE MARK WOOD TW & COMPANY, INC.

9149 Lime Ave. 8448 Underwood Ave. ATTN: Tanya Walker

California City, CA 93505 California City, CA 93505 4355 Nicole Dr.

 Lanham, MD 20706

3. Replacement counsel for Defendants RICHARD MOORE, AND MARK WOOD, if 

any, SHALL enter an appearance in this matter within 21 days of any order lifting the 

stay of the action;

4. Replacement counsel for Defendant, TW & COMPANY, INC, SHALL enter an 

appearance in this matter within 21 days of any order lifting the stay of the action. 

Failure to comply with this order to obtain replacement counsel within the time frame 

set forth above will result in sanctions, including an order striking its answer and 

entering default;

5. The Clerk IS DIRECTED to serve this order on each of the Defendants at the 

respective addresses listed above;

6. Defendants are advised that failure to comply with the Local Rules, Federal Rules, or a 

Court order, may result in sanctions pursuant to Local Rule 110. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 19, 2012 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

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