Cessna Finance Corporation v. Al Ghaith Holding Company PJSC
- Stewart Aaron
- 1:15-cv-09857-PGG-SDA
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 2
In CesFin Ventures v. Al Ghaith, Judge Aaron granted counsel’s motions to withdraw and gave respondents thirty days to obtain new counsel.
Six Star Representation of Companies LLC, the three individual respondents known collectively as the Ghaiths, and their withdrawing lawyers. Six Star must obtain a lawyer to appear, while the Ghaiths may represent themselves but must follow the court’s orders and deadlines.
What happened
CesFin Ventures LLC asked the court to address the withdrawal of lawyers representing Six Star Representation of Companies LLC and three individual respondents called the Ghaiths. Those respondents did not respond to their lawyers’ motions by the court’s deadline.
The court granted both motions to withdraw. It gave the respondents thirty days to obtain new counsel. The individual respondents may represent themselves, but Six Star must appear through a lawyer.
Judge Stewart D. Aaron warned that failing to follow court orders and deadlines could lead to sanctions, including a default judgment. If Six Star had not obtained counsel by May 31, 2023, CesFin Ventures was directed to seek a certificate of default by June 7, 2023.
The detailed version
- Cessna Finance Corporation v. Al Ghaith Holding Company PJSC · No. 1:15-cv-09857-PGG-SDA
- Stewart Aaron
- May 1, 2023
Background
The order concerns two listed actions, docket numbers 1:15-cv-09857 and 1:21-cv-01395. Lawyers from Barnes & Barnes, P.C. represented Six Star Representation of Companies LLC. Campolo, Middleton & Associates, LLP represented Ali Hamel Knadem Al Ghaith Al Qubaisi, Ghaith Hamel Khadem Al Ghaith Al Qubaisi, and Khalifa Hamel Khadem Al Ghaith Al Qubaisi. The court referred to the three individuals collectively as “the Ghaiths.”
Both law firms asked to withdraw as counsel. The respondents did not respond by the April 21, 2023 deadline set in an earlier court order.
Ruling
The court granted the Barnes & Barnes motion to withdraw and the Campolo, Middleton & Associates motion to withdraw. The court gave the respondents thirty days to secure new counsel.
The court stated that the Ghaiths may appear without lawyers if they do not obtain new counsel, but they must comply with all court orders and deadlines. The court warned that failing to do so may result in sanctions, including entry of a default judgment against them.
The court also stated that Six Star must appear through counsel. If Six Star had not appeared through counsel by May 31, 2023, CesFin Ventures was directed to seek a certificate of default from the Clerk of Court by June 7, 2023. The withdrawing lawyers were ordered to serve the respondents with the order and file proof of service by May 8, 2023.
Effect of the Order
This order resolves the lawyers’ withdrawal motions and sets deadlines for representation and compliance. The opinion does not decide the underlying dispute between the parties.
Read the full 2-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.