GateGuard, Inc. v. Amazon.com Inc.
- John Koeltl
- 1:21-cv-09321
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 1
In GateGuard v. Amazon.com, Magistrate Judge Figueredo scheduled an ex parte conference on counsel’s opposed withdrawal motion.
GateGuard, Inc., its counsel, and the GateGuard representative directed to attend the conference.
What happened
GateGuard, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc. concerns a motion by GateGuard’s counsel to withdraw from representing the company. The filing said GateGuard opposed the motion.
The court scheduled a private conference, without the other side present, to address the withdrawal request. A GateGuard representative who can explain the company’s opposition must attend, and GateGuard’s counsel must also attend.
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo said the private format may be necessary because the dispute could involve attorney-client privileged information. The order scheduled the conference for August 14, 2025, but did not decide whether counsel may withdraw.
The detailed version
- GateGuard, Inc. v. Amazon.com Inc. · No. 1:21-cv-09321
- John Koeltl
- July 22, 2025
Background
On June 24, 2025, GateGuard’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw from representing GateGuard, Inc. The filing indicated that GateGuard opposed the motion.
Order
The court scheduled an ex parte conference—meaning a conference without the other side present—for Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 17-A at 500 Pearl Street in New York. The court directed a GateGuard representative who can address the company’s opposition to appear. GateGuard’s counsel was also directed to appear.
Reason for the Conference Format
The court explained that the dispute could require disclosure of information protected by the attorney-client privilege. It cited decisions stating that withdrawal motions may be filed under seal when necessary to protect the attorney-client relationship and that private proceedings or review of documents by the judge are routine in disputes involving that privilege.
Disposition
Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo scheduled the conference and issued appearance directives. The order did not grant or deny the motion to withdraw.
Read the full 1-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.