Silicon Valley was rocked in March when venture capitalist Michael Goguen, then with Sequoia Capital, was sued by former girlfriend Amber Baptiste, for allegedly raping and systemically abusing her over a 13-year period. Now the accuser’s lawyer wants out.
Baptiste was represented on her complaint by Patricia Glaser, a Los Angeles-based attorney known for representing such high-profile clients as Miley Cyrus, Paula Deen, Kirk Kerkorian, and Conan O’Brien.
Earlier this month, however, Glaser’s firm requested that it be allowed to withdraw from the case. From the motion filed with the court:
“During the course of Glaser Weil’s representation of Client, irreconcilable differences developed between Glaser Weil and Client regarding the strategy, handling, and course of these proceedings and there has been a breakdown of communications between Glaser Weil and Client, such that Glaser Weil cannot continue its representation.”
Glaser’s office declined to comment further when contacted by Fortune.
The court has not yet ruled on Glaser’s request, nor is there any public information as to what other lawyer Baptiste might choose to represent her (both on her complaint, and also on a counter-complaint filed by Goguen). A trial is scheduled to begin in May 2017.
