{"id":"court_sdny_122_0","court":"SDNY","case_no":"23-cr-00118","doc_number":122,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":"2023-08-07","title":"UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA","summary_zh":"辩护律师撤诉动议 —— 美国诉 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵 / Guo Wengui / Miles Guo）案关联被告王雁萍（Yanping Wang）案，SDNY 1:23-cr-00118 ECF #122（2023-08-07 立案）。ChaudhryLaw PLLC（Priya Chaudhry、Seth Zuckerman、Beth Farber）提交经宣誓核实的动议，请求获准退出对被告王雁萍的代理，称被告已知情同意，且共同辩护律师 Alex Lipman 将继续代理，不会影响案件审理进度。","summary_en":"Motion to withdraw as counsel — filed in the SDNY prosecution of co-defendant Yanping Wang under the same docket as United States v. Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui), 1:23-cr-00118, ECF No. 122 (filed 2023-08-07). ChaudhryLaw PLLC (Priya Chaudhry, Seth Zuckerman, Beth Farber) submits a verified motion seeking leave to withdraw as counsel for defendant Yanping Wang, stating she has consented and that co-counsel Alex Lipman will continue the representation without disrupting the case schedule.","body_en":"### UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK\n\nUNITED STATES OF AMERICA\n\nv.\n\nYANPING WANG,\n\nDefendant.\n\nCase No. 23-CR-118 (AT)\n\n# **VERIFIED MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT AND MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT**\n\nPursuant to Local Criminal Rule 1.2, Priya Chaudhry of ChaudhryLaw PLLC\n\n(\"ChaudhryLaw\" or the \"Firm\") hereby submits this Verified Motion to Withdraw as Counsel for Defendant and Memorandum of Law in Support of its motion for an order permitting the Firm to withdraw as counsel for Defendant Yanping Wang (\"Defendant\"). For the reasons set forth below, ChaudhryLaw respectfully requests that the Court permit the Firm to withdraw from representing Defendant.1\n\n# **ARGUMENT**\n\n# **I. LEGAL STANDARD**\n\nRule 1.2 of the Local Criminal Rules of the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York states that an \"attorney may not withdraw except upon prior\n\norder of the Court pursuant to Local Civil Rule 1.4.\" Local Civil Rule 1.4 states:\n\nAn attorney who has appeared as attorney of record for a party may be relieved or displaced only by order of the Court and may not withdraw from a case without leave of the Court granted by order. Such an order may be granted only upon a showing by affidavit or otherwise of satisfactory reasons for withdrawal or displacement and the posture of the case, including its position, if any, on the calendar, and whether or not the attorney is asserting a retaining or charging lien. All applications to withdraw must be served upon the client and (unless excused by the Court) upon all other parties.\n\n<sup>1</sup> The instant motion to withdraw is on behalf of Firm partners Priya Chaudhry, Seth J. Zuckerman, and Beth Farber.\n\nThe Court has \"considerable discretion in deciding a motion for withdrawal of counsel.\" *Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC v. A.V.E.L.A., Inc.*, No. 10-CV-2333-MEA, 2014 WL 1087934, at \\*1 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2014). Two factors are considered in determining whether to grant an application to withdraw as counsel: \"the reasons for withdrawal and the impact of the withdrawal on the timing of the proceeding.\" *United States v. Cole*, No. 19-CR-869-ER, 2022 WL 615046, at \\*2 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 2, 2022).\n\n#### **A. Satisfactory Reasons Exist for ChaudhryLaw's Withdrawal**\n\nThe Firm seeks to withdraw as counsel for Defendant with her full and informed consent. Defendant has provided express consent to the Firm's withdrawal and agrees that ChaudhryLaw may no longer represent her in this matter. In *In re Air Crash Near Nantucket Island*, *Mass. on Oct. 31, 1999*, an E.D.N.Y case, counsel was allowed to withdraw from the case with the client's consent. No. MD-00-1344-BMC, 2008 WL 4426006 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 15, 2008), ECF No. 519. Federal courts in other jurisdictions have also not objected to a counsel's withdrawal in cases where, like here, a client knowingly and freely assents to termination of the counsel's representation. *See Bhasin v. Pathak*, No. EDCV-1300293-VAPOPX, 2013 WL 12143939, at \\*1 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2013); *Craig v. St. Anthony's Med. Ctr.*, No. 4-08-CV-00492-ERW, 2009 WL 910744, at \\*2 (E.D. Mo. Apr. 2, 2009).\n\nImportantly, Defendant will not be left without representation upon ChaudhryLaw's withdrawal. Co-counsel, Alex Lipman of Lipman Law PLLC, will continue to represent Defendant, ensuring continuity in her legal representation, safeguarding Defendant's interests, and allowing Defendant to continue to receive proper legal guidance throughout the proceedings.\n\n2\n\nIn light of Defendant's explicit consent to ChaudhryLaw's withdrawal and the presence of a competent co-counsel who will continue to represent Defendant, the Firm has a satisfactory reason for seeking withdrawal. This withdrawal is in accordance with Defendant's wishes, and she has been fully informed of the implications and alternatives available to her.\n\n### **B. The Timing of the Proceeding Will Not Be Impacted by ChaudhryLaw's Withdrawal**\n\nThe second factor in evaluating the impact of counsel's withdrawal is \"the impact of the withdrawal on the timing of the proceeding.\" *Cole*, 2022 WL 615046, at \\*2. In this case, ChaudhryLaw's withdrawal will have no significant impact on the timing of the proceedings.\n\nAs of the date of this motion, the case is still in its initial stages, and the trial is scheduled for April 8, 2024. The government is currently in the process of providing discovery materials to the defense, and Lipman Law PLLC has been actively involved in this process. Given Lipman Law PLLC's continuous representation throughout, there will be no disruption to the judicial process or delay in the proceedings.\n\nFurthermore, the Court has set November 15, 2023, as the deadline for Defendant to file her pretrial motions. Lipman Law PLLC, as counsel of record, is already familiar with the case's intricacies and has been actively preparing for the pretrial motions. The Firm's withdrawal will not result in any delay because Lipman Law PLLC is well-equipped to effectively handle the pretrial motions, ensuring that Defendant's rights are protected, and the case moves forward smoothly.\n\nIn conclusion, ChaudhryLaw PLLC's withdrawal will not impact the timing of the proceedings. The presence of Lipman Law PLLC as Defendant's continuous and competent counsel ensures that the case will progress without any delay or prejudice. Granting the\n\n3\n\nwithdrawal will allow Defendant to maintain proper legal guidance without any undue rush or disadvantage, and she will have ample opportunity to actively participate in her defense.\n\nThe Firm is not asserting any retaining lien on Defendant's files.\n\nWHEREFORE, ChaudhryLaw PLLC respectfully requests this Court enter an order granting ChaudhryLaw PLLC leave to withdraw as counsel of record for Defendant and such other and further relief this Court deems just and proper.\n\n### **DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY**\n\nPursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746, I declare and verify under penalty of perjury that the\n\nforegoing is true and correct.\n\nDated: New York, New York August 7, 2023\n\nChaudhryLaw PLLC\n\nBy: */s/ Priya Chaudhry* Priya Chaudhry Seth Zuckerman Beth Farber\n\n> 147 W. 25th Street, 12th Floor New York, New York 10001 Tel: (212) 785-5550 Email: priya@chaudhrylaw.com\n\n*Attorneys for Defendant Yanping Wang*\n\n## **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nI HEREBY certify that on August 7, 2023, I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of the Court by using the CM/ECF system, which will send a notice of electronic filing to all attorneys of record.\n\n> */s/ Priya Chaudhry* Priya Chaudhry","body_zh":"UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK（美国纽约南区联邦地区法院）\n\nUNITED STATES OF AMERICA（美利坚合众国）\n\n诉\n\nYANPING WANG（王雁平），\n\n被告。\n\n案号：23-CR-118 (AT)\n\n经宣誓的撤销被告辩护律师代理动议及支持性法律备忘录\n\n根据《本地刑事规则》（Local Criminal Rule）第 1.2 条，ChaudhryLaw PLLC 律师事务所（下称“ChaudhryLaw”或“本所”）的 Priya Chaudhry 特此提交本《经宣誓的撤销被告辩护律师代理动议及支持性法律备忘录》，以支持其申请准许本所撤销作为被告 Yanping Wang（王雁平，下称“被告”）辩护律师代理的命令的动议。基于下述理由，ChaudhryLaw 谨请法院准许本所撤销代理被告。1\n\n辩论意见\n\nI. 法律标准\n\n《美国纽约南区及东区联邦地区法院本地刑事规则》（Local Criminal Rules of the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York）第 1.2 条规定，“除非依据《本地民事规则》（Local Civil Rule）第 1.4 条获得法院事先命令，否则律师不得撤销代理”。《本地民事规则》第 1.4 条规定：\n\n已作为一方当事人的案卷记载律师出庭的律师，唯有经法院命令方可被免除或替换，且未经法院以命令准予许可，不得退出案件。唯在通过宣誓书或其他方式证明存在令人满意的撤销或替换理由，并说明案件态势（包括其在日程表上的位置（如有）以及律师是否主张留置权或押记留置权）的情况下，方可准予该等命令。所有撤销代理的申请必须送达委托人，且（除非经法院免除）必须送达所有其他当事人。\n\n1 本次撤销代理动议系代表本所合伙人 Priya Chaudhry、Seth J. Zuckerman 和 Beth Farber 提出。\n\n法院在“决定撤销律师代理动议方面拥有相当大的自由裁量权”。Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC v. A.V.E.L.A., Inc., No. 10-CV-2333-MEA, 2014 WL 1087934, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2014)。在确定是否准许撤销律师代理的申请时，会考量两项因素：“撤销代理的理由以及撤销代理对诉讼程序时间节点的影响”。United States v. Cole, No. 19-CR-869-ER, 2022 WL 615046, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 2, 2022)。\n\nA. ChaudhryLaw 撤销代理存在令人满意的理由\n\n本所是在获得被告充分知情同意的情况下寻求撤销作为其辩护律师的代理。被告已对本所撤销代理给予明确同意，并同意 ChaudhryLaw 不得再在此事宜中代理她。在纽约东区联邦地区法院（E.D.N.Y.）审理的 In re Air Crash Near Nantucket Island, Mass. on Oct. 31, 1999 一案中，律师在获得委托人同意的情况下获准退出案件。No. MD-00-1344-BMC, 2008 WL 4426006 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 15, 2008), ECF No. 519。其他司法管辖区的联邦法院在委托人知情并自愿同意终止律师代理的情况下（与本案相同），亦未反对律师撤销代理。参见 Bhasin v. Pathak, No. EDCV-1300293-VAPOPX, 2013 WL 12143939, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2013)；Craig v. St. Anthony's Med. Ctr., No. 4-08-CV-00492-ERW, 2009 WL 910744, at *2 (E.D. Mo. Apr. 2, 2009)。\n\n重要的是，在 ChaudhryLaw 撤销代理后，被告并不会陷入无人代理的境地。共同辩护律师、Lipman Law PLLC 律师事务所的 Alex Lipman 将继续代理被告，确保其法律代理的连续性，维护被告的利益，并使被告在整个诉讼程序中能够继续获得适当的法律指导。鉴于被告明确同意 ChaudhryLaw 撤销代理，且有胜任的共同辩护律师将继续代理被告，本所寻求撤销代理具备令人满意的理由。此项撤销代理符合被告的意愿，且她已充分获悉其影响及可供其选择的替代方案。\n\nB. 诉讼程序的时间节点不会受到 ChaudhryLaw 撤销代理的影响\n\n评估律师撤销代理影响的第二项因素是“撤销代理对诉讼程序时间节点的影响”。Cole, 2022 WL 615046, at *2。在本案中，ChaudhryLaw 撤销代理对诉讼程序的时间节点不会产生重大影响。\n\n截至本动议提出之日，案件仍处于初期阶段，审理定于 2024 年 4 月 8 日进行。政府目前正处于向辩方提供开示证据材料的阶段，Lipman Law PLLC 一直积极参与该过程。鉴于 Lipman Law PLLC 在整个过程中持续提供代理，司法程序不会受到任何干扰，诉讼程序亦不会发生拖延。\n\n此外，法院已将 2023 年 11 月 15 日定为被告提交审前动议的截止日期。作为案卷记载律师，Lipman Law PLLC 已经熟悉案件的复杂细节，并一直在积极准备审前动议。本所的撤销代理不会导致任何延误，因为 Lipman Law PLLC 完全有能力有效处理审前动议，确保被告的权利得到保护，并确保案件顺利推进。\n\n综上所述，ChaudhryLaw PLLC 的撤销代理不会影响诉讼程序的时间节点。Lipman Law PLLC 作为被告持续且胜任的律师出庭，确保了案件将在没有任何延误或损害的情况下向前推进。准予撤销代理将允许被告在没有任何不当仓促或不利条件的情况下保持适当的法律指导，并且她将有充足的机会积极参与其辩护。\n\n本所未就被告的卷宗主张任何留置权。\n\n据此，ChaudhryLaw PLLC 谨请本法院作出命令，准许 ChaudhryLaw PLLC 撤销作为被告案卷记载律师的代理，并准予本法院认为公正妥当的其他及进一步救济。\n\n伪证罪处罚下的声明\n\n根据 28 U.S.C. § 1746，本人在受伪证罪处罚的条件下声明并证实：前述内容真实且正确。\n\n日期：2023 年 8 月 7 日，于纽约州纽约市\n\nChaudhryLaw PLLC\n\n签署人：/s/ Priya Chaudhry Priya Chaudhry Seth Zuckerman Beth Farber\n\n147 W. 25th Street, 12th Floor New York, New York 10001 电话：(212) 785-5550 电子邮箱：priya@chaudhrylaw.com\n\n被告 Yanping Wang 的代理律师\n\n送达证书\n\n本人特此证明，于 2023 年 8 月 7 日，本人通过使用 CM/ECF 系统向法院书记官以电子方式提交了前述文件，该系统将向所有案卷记载律师发送电子送达通知。\n\n/s/ Priya Chaudhry Priya Chaudhry","key_entities":["Yanping Wang","Je","CIPA"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":519,"court":"SDNY"}],"word_count":1039,"status":"published","published_at":"2023-08-07 00:00:00","created_at":"2023-08-07","updated_at":"2026-08-23 07:24:33"}