Quintara Biosciences, Inc. v. Ruifeng Biztech Inc.
- William Alsup
- 3:20-cv-04808
- U.S. District Court · Northern District of California
- 2
In Quintara Biosciences v. Ruifeng Biztech, Judge Alsup granted counsel’s withdrawal for four defendants but denied it for two others.
Buchalter was permitted to withdraw from representing Ruifeng Biztech Inc., RF Biotech LLC, Gangyou Wang, and Alan Li, but remained counsel for Rui Shao and Alex Wong.
What happened
In Quintara Biosciences, Inc. v. Ruifeng Biztech Inc., defense counsel Buchalter asked to stop representing the defendants. Quintara Biosciences argued that changing counsel at that stage would unfairly harm its case.
The court found good cause to allow Buchalter to withdraw for Ruifeng Biztech Inc., RF Biotech LLC, Gangyou Wang, and Alan Li. The court denied the request for Rui Shao and Alex Wong.
Judge William Alsup ordered that Buchalter’s representation of the four specified parties ended at 12:00 a.m. on October 8, 2021.
The detailed version
- Quintara Biosciences, Inc. v. Ruifeng Biztech Inc. · No. 3:20-cv-04808
- William Alsup
- Oct. 7, 2021
Background
Defense counsel Buchalter moved to withdraw as counsel of record for the defendants. Quintara Biosciences opposed the motion, arguing that a change in counsel at that point in the litigation would be highly prejudicial. The court held an in-person hearing after proper notice. Gangyou Wang and Alan Li did not appear, despite repeated requests from counsel.
Legal standard
Under Civil Local Rule 11-5, a lawyer may not withdraw from a case until the court permits the withdrawal after advance written notice to the client and other parties who have appeared. The court explained that permission is discretionary and is guided by the California Rules of Professional Conduct, which allow withdrawal when counsel has a good-faith belief that good cause exists.
Ruling
After reviewing the written materials, including a declaration from defense counsel submitted privately for the court’s review, and testimony from some named defendants at the hearing, the court found good cause for withdrawal. The motion was granted as to Ruifeng Biztech Inc., RF Biotech LLC, Gangyou Wang, and Alan Li. Buchalter’s representation of those parties ended at 12:00 a.m. on October 8, 2021. The motion was denied as to Rui Shao and Alex Wong.
Read the full 2-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.