Judge grants Cooley’s motion to withdraw as counsel for Theranos chief

A federal judge granted Cooley LLP's motion to withdraw as counsel for Elizabeth Holmes in a civil case surrounding her defunct blood-testing company, Theranos.

The order, dated Nov. 5 and entered into the docket the next day, released Palo Alto-based chairman Stephen C. Neal, partner-in-charge John C. Dwyer , Seattle associate Jeffrey D. Lombard and the firm from representing Holmes after they claimed she had not paid them for their legal services.

U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland, the judge presiding over the Arizona case, ordered Cooley to disclose Holmes' email and last known address under seal as a stipulation of their release from her defense.

Holmes and Theranos were charged with fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a case alleging they falsely claimed to create a new blood exam that could utilize blood from a finger prick for tests rather than draw large amounts with needles and vials. That case was later settled. Plaintiffs claimed in a civil lawsuit the Theranos tests "were not accurate, possibly exposing [people] to unnecessary medical treatment or denying them the opportunity to seek timely medical treatment." Toy v. Theranos, 2:16-cv-02138-GMS (Ariz., filed June 29, 2016).

Cooley did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

-- Nicole Tyau