Lindsay Lohan's long suffering criminal defense attorney, Shawn Holley, has formally filed legal documents to withdraw her representation of the troubled starlet, but Judge Stephanie Sautner, who is dealing with Lohan's most recent legal debacle, might not sign off on it, Breaking Celebrity News is exclusively reporting.

"The paperwork has been submitted for Shawn to withdraw from representing Lindsay," a source tells Breaking Celebrity News. "However, it needs Judge Sautner's approval before it becomes official. If she has any concerns that Lohan is having trouble obtaining new counsel, Judge Sautner could order Shawn to remain on the case until that situation is remedied.

"It appears that Lindsay's new attorney, Mark Heller, who is New York City based, is currently in limbo when it comes to acquiring a law license that will allow him to practice in California. It's not uncommon at all for a judge to NOT allow an attorney to break ties with a client during an ongoing case. It happens all the time."

Heller has a checkered past and was suspended from practicing law for several years after being found guilty of professional misconduct.