Shenzhen Merrynice Cosmetics Co, LTD. v. Luxie, Inc.

I. DISCUSSION

22 Withdrawal of counsel is governed by the California Rules of Professional Conduct 23 and Local Civil Rule 11-5. Under Rule 1.16 of the California Rules of Professional 24 Conduct, a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if “the client breaches a 25 material term of an agreement with, or obligation, to the lawyer relating to the 26 representation, and the lawyer has given the client reasonable warning after the breach that 27 the lawyer will withdraw unless the client fulfills the agreement or performs the obligation.” Cal. Rules of Pro. Conduct r. 1.16(b)(5). That Rule also requires that “[a] lawyer shall not terminate a representation until the lawyer has taken reasonable steps of avoid reasonably foreseeable prejudice to the rights of the client, such as giving the client sufficient notice to permit the client to retain other counsel.” Id. r. 1.16(d). Local Civil Rule 11-5 further requires that counsel must provide written notice “reasonably in advance, to the client and to all other parties who have appeared in the case” of their intent to withdraw. Counsel may not withdraw without a court order. See Local Civil…