Timothy Bumb v. Steven Gobin

Summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California conditionally grants Fennemore LLP’s motion to withdraw as counsel for defendant Steven Gobin. The court requires counsel to continue accepting service until Gobin files a pro se appearance or obtains substitute counsel, and directs Fennemore to assist Gobin with electronic filing registration if he proceeds pro se.

Holdings

1. The court conditionally granted Fennemore LLP's motion to withdraw because defendant consented to withdrawal, intended to proceed pro se, and the early stage of the case weighed in favor of withdrawal, subject to specified conditions.
2. Fennemore was required to continue accepting service of papers for forwarding purposes until Gobin filed a notice of appearance pro se or substituted new counsel, and to assist Gobin in registering his email with the court's ECF system.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should permit defendant's counsel to withdraw when the client consents and intends to proceed pro se.
2. What conditions were necessary to protect the parties and administration of justice upon withdrawal of counsel.

Disposition

other