Bumb v. Gobin
- Susan Van Keulen
- 5:25-cv-04729
- U.S. District Court · Northern District of California
- 3
In Timothy Bumb v. Steven Gobin, Judge Van Keulen conditionally granted Fennemore, LLP’s motion to withdraw as Gobin’s counsel.
Fennemore, LLP must continue forwarding court papers and assist Steven Gobin with electronic filing until the stated conditions are satisfied; Gobin may then proceed without a lawyer or obtain new counsel. Timothy Bumb is affected by the service and filing arrangements.
What happened
In Timothy Bumb v. Steven Gobin, Fennemore, LLP asked to withdraw as Steven Gobin’s attorney. Gobin said he intended to represent himself and agreed to the withdrawal. The case was still at an early stage, with no answer filed and discovery scheduled to close on June 1, 2026.
Timothy Bumb partially opposed the motion and asked Gobin to appear without a lawyer and provide an email address for serving court papers. Because a motion was pending and Gobin lives in Idaho, the court found that electronic filing would reduce possible harm to both parties.
Judge Susan Van Keulen conditionally granted the motion. Fennemore must continue accepting papers for forwarding until Gobin files a notice that he is representing himself or obtains new counsel, and Fennemore must help him register his email with the court’s electronic filing system if he chooses to proceed without a lawyer. After those conditions are met, Fennemore may withdraw.
The detailed version
- Bumb v. Gobin · No. 5:25-cv-04729
- Susan Van Keulen
- Nov. 7, 2025
Background
Fennemore, LLP, counsel of record for Defendant Steven Gobin, moved to withdraw as Gobin’s counsel. Gobin submitted a declaration stating that he intended to represent himself and consented to Fennemore’s withdrawal. Plaintiff Timothy Bumb filed a partial non-opposition and requested that Gobin immediately appear without counsel and provide an email address for service of papers.
The court noted that no answer had been filed, discovery was not scheduled to close until June 1, 2026, and the case was therefore at an early stage. It also considered the pending motion and Gobin’s residence in Idaho in evaluating how to limit possible prejudice to the parties.
Ruling
The court conditionally granted Fennemore’s motion to withdraw. Under the stated conditions, Fennemore must continue accepting service of papers for forwarding until Gobin files a notice of appearance representing himself or substitutes new counsel. If Gobin proceeds without a lawyer, Fennemore must assist him in registering his email address with the court’s electronic case-filing system. Gobin will then receive case notices and documents by email rather than regular mail. Once those two conditions are satisfied, Fennemore is permitted to withdraw.
The court also provided information about the Federal Pro Se Program and related self-representation resources. It stated that the program does not represent Gobin in this action but can provide basic legal assistance at no cost.
Read the full 3-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.