Attorneys leave SEC side, both groups add new lawyers

Multiple attorneys have moved in and out of the lawsuit between Ripple Labs, its executives and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as signified by court filings on Aug. 23.

The latest motions filed were requesting permission to withdraw attorneys Richard Best and Robert MacDonald Moye from the trial, with the former having the motion immediately granted due to extended medical leave. Moye’s withdrawal is still pending a decision from Judge Analisa Torres. 

Earlier the same day, a motion was filed for attorney Pascale Guerrier to be dismissed from the case. This request was also promptly granted by the judge.

In a game of legal musical chairs, also on Aug. 23, Judge Torres approved attorney Michael A. Schulman for Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, along with attorneys Marc J. Jones and Peter Bryan Moores to represent the SEC. 

In response to the changes, the crypto community has taken its opinions to social media.

Some users remarked that the attorneys leaving the side of the SEC “don’t want their name tied to the wrong side of history.” Another commented on the timing, saying:

SEC has lawyers quitting before the ship sinks completely

— XRPcryptowolf (@XRPcryptowolf) August 23, 2023

However, some don’t find the situation as pressing. Prominent crypto lawyer John E. Deaton responded that these changes “mean nothing” in the grand scheme of the case. 

This means nothing. Guerrier could be reassigned or could be leaving the SEC. She started working more on the Ripple case after Tenreiro got a promotion (although he still is in charge of the case) and Attorney Bliss left the SEC to go work for BlockFi. Tenreiro had Guerrier…

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) August 23, 2023