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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN 

SOUTHERN DIVISION 

RODNEY HELM, 

 Plaintiff, Case No. 15-cv-12394 

 Hon. Matthew F. Leitman 

v. 

FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION et al.

 Defendants. 

__________________________________________________________________/ 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO WITHDRAW (ECF #5) AND 

CANCELLING TELEPHONIC STATUS CONFERENCE (ECF #4) 

 On May 21, 2015, Plaintiff Rodney Helm (“Plaintiff”) filed this mortgageforeclosure action against Defendants in the Lapeer County Circuit Court. (See 

ECF #1-2.) Plaintiff was represented by attorney Steven B. Ruza (“Ruza”). (See 

id.) Defendants removed Plaintiff’s action to this Court on July 2, 2015. (See ECF 

#1.) 

 On July 10, 2015, Ruza filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Plaintiff 

(the “Motion to Withdraw”). (See ECF #5.) Ruza informs the Court in the Motion 

to Withdraw that Michigan’s 48th District Court has ordered him “to not represent 

parties relating to foreclosures.” (Id. at 2, Pg. ID 53.) Ruza says has therefore has 

“informed [his clients] by mail of alternative counsel that is available to take over 

[his] caseload.” (Id.) Ruza has attached to the Motion to Withdraw the letter he 

sent to his clients (see ECF #5-2) and a copy of the 48th District Court’s criminal 

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docket which shows that Ruza has been charged with three counts of false 

pretenses and has been enjoined from representing individuals in foreclosurerelated matters. (See ECF #5-1.) In addition, Ruza has provided the Court a June 

30, 2015, order from the Lapeer County Circuit Court allowing Ruza to withdraw 

as Plaintiff’s counsel. (See ECF #5-3.) 

 Plaintiff has not responded or otherwise objected to the Motion to Withdraw. 

Nor has Defendant. But given the pending criminal charges against Ruza, the 48th 

District Court’s order prohibiting Ruza from representing individuals like Plaintiff, 

and the Lapeer County Circuit Court’s order allowing Ruza to withdraw as 

Plaintiff’s counsel, the Court concludes that Ruza should be allowed to withdraw 

as counsel for Plaintiff in this matter. 

 Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the Motion to Withdraw (ECF #5.) The 

Court FURTHER ORDERS the following: 

 Plaintiff shall have until August 24, 2015, to obtain new counsel and have 

new counsel file an appearance in this action. If no such appearance is 

filed, the Court will presume that Plaintiff intends to proceed pro se in this 

matter. 

 By no later than July 24, 2015, Ruza shall send a letter to Plaintiff 

enclosing a copy of this Order and explaining to Plaintiff the Court’s 

requirement that Plaintiff has until August 24, 2015, to obtain new counsel 

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and have new counsel file an appearance in this action. Ruza shall also 

file a Proof of Service with the Court no later than July 31, 2015, 

indicating that this letter was timely sent to Plaintiff. 

 The previously-scheduled July 17, 2015, telephonic status conference (see 

ECF #4) is CANCELLED. 

 Until further notice of the Court, the parties shall not serve discovery, 

responses to discovery, or disclosures, and shall not file any motions, 

responses to motions, or responsive pleadings. 

       s/Matthew F. Leitman 

 MATTHEW F. LEITMAN 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 

Dated: July 16, 2015 

 I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the 

parties and/or counsel of record on July 16, 2015, by electronic means and/or 

ordinary mail. 

 s/Holly A. Monda 

 Case Manager 

 (313) 234-5113 

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