Motion to be Relieved as Counsel
23CV048442: SANZHU GROUP, LLC vs CHOPBAR, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,, et al. 06/11/2026 Hearing on Motion to be Relieved as Counsel filed by Eric Matthew Lode (Attorney) CRS# 341479109742 in Department 518
Tentative Ruling - 06/10/2026 Mark Fickes
The Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel filed by Eric Matthew Lode on 05/06/2026 is Granted.
Joanathan S. Kitchen and Eric. M Lode, on behalf of Kitchen Law Group, PC. (Counsel) filed a Motion to be Relieved as Counsel for Defendant Pebbles Donuts, Inc., on May 6, 2026.
Counsel has shown the existence of substantial justification for the motion, due to Defendants breach of the fee agreement and the inability of Counsel as a small law firm to continue to represent Defendant Pebbles Donuts, Inc., and that sufficient notice of the hearing was given to Defendant. CRC 3.1362.CCP § 284(2).
Kitchen Law Group, P.C.s Motion to be Relieved as Counsel is GRANTED subject to compliance with this order.
The Court will sign the proposed order previously submitted on mandatory Judicial Council Form MC-053. Counsel shall serve the signed order upon the Defendant and file the proof of service with the court. This order is not effective until Counsel has filed the proof of service of the signed order.
Counsel shall make a reasonable attempt to notify Defendant of the Courts tentative ruling.
Further, Defendant Pebbles Donuts, Inc. is reminded that a corporation, unlike a natural person, cannot represent itself before courts of record in propria persona, nor can it represent itself through a corporate officer, director or other employee who is not an attorney. It must be represented by licensed counsel in proceedings before courts of record. (CLD Construction, Inc. v. City of San Ramon (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 1141, 1145.) Thus, Defendant needs to retain new counsel to proceed in this litigation which is currently set for trial on August 3, 2026.
For this reason, the Court SETS a status conference re: status of counsel for July 8, 2026, at 2:30 pm in Dept. 518.
Looking for case law or statutes not cited here? Search published authorities
Examples: “Why did the court rule this way?” · “What were the procedural grounds?” · “Is appearance required?”
Status Conference is scheduled for 07/08/2026 at 02:30 PM in Department 518 at Hayward Hall of Justice. 23CV048442: SANZHU GROUP, LLC vs CHOPBAR, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,, et al. 06/11/2026 Hearing on Motion to be Relieved as Counsel filed by Eric Matthew Lode (Attorney) CRS# 341479109742 in Department 518
PLEASE NOTE: Pursuant to California Rule of Court 3.1308, subdivision (a)(1), this tentative ruling will become the order of the Court unless it is contested before 4:00 PM on the court day preceding the noticed hearing.
To contest a tentative ruling, a party should do the following:
First, the party must notify Department 518, by email at Dept518@alameda.courts.ca.gov and copy all counsel of record and self-represented parties. The contesting party must state in the subject line of the email the case name, case number and motion.
Second, the party shall log into the eCourt Public Portal, search for this case (e.g., by case number), select the case name, select the "Tentative Rulings" tab, click the "Click to Contest this Ruling" button, enter the party's name and a brief statement of the party's reason for contesting the tentative, and click "Proceed."
Please note the Court does not permit remote appearances for motions for summary judgment that are contested. If you contest a Motion for Summary Judgment, you must appear in person.
For all other motions (unless otherwise noted in the tentative ruling), Parties may appear via videoconference, using the Zoom.com website or application. TO CONNECT TO ZOOM: Department 518 is inviting you to a scheduled ZoomGov meeting.
Topic: Department 518's Personal Meeting Room
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://alameda-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16054307984
Meeting ID: 160 5430 7984
One tap mobile +16692545252,,16054307984# US (San Jose) +14154494000,,16054307984# US (US Spanish Line)
---
Dial by your location +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)