Meggs

I. Background

22 Attached with the February 10, 2020 motion to withdraw as counsel, Defendant 23 has included a sworn declaration signed at Attorney M. Alim Malik. (ECF No. 13-1, 24 Malik Decl.) Mr. Malik avers that, on February 4, 2020, he was “informed that the 25 ownership/membership interests in 1250 North had changed such that the individuals 26 from whom [he and his associate, Ms. Brittany Ortiz] had been receiving instructions 27 were no longer able to provide those instructions due to a change in ownership and control.” (Id. at ¶ 4.) In response, Mr. Malik contacted Mr. Robert Perelman of Ladder Capital, LLC, an organization now allegedly in “managerial control” of Defendant. (Id. at ¶ 6.) Mr. Malik “informed Ladder that due to a potential conflict of interest, [Malik] and [his] firm are unable to continue as counsel of record.” (Id. at ¶¶ 4, 6.) Mr. Malik expects that Ladder will be selecting new counsel on behalf of Defendant in the “near future.” (Id. at ¶ 8.) Mr. Malik also spoke with Plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Donald MacKay, who does not object to the withdrawal of Defendant’s counsel. (Id. at ¶¶ 9–11.) II. Legal Standard …