Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-03617/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-03617-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1114 Trademark Infringement

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GIANNI VERSACE, S.P.A., et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

VERSACE 19.69 ABBIGLIAMENTO 

SPORTIVO SRL, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 16-cv-03617-HSG 

ORDER DIRECTING LVBHQ 

DEFENDANTS TO APPEAR AND 

ADDRESS ISSUES RAISED IN 

MOTION TO WITHDRAW

Re: Dkt. Nos. 61

On November 21, 2016, a motion to withdraw as counsel was filed by Peter W. Ross and 

Keith J. Wesley, who are attorneys at Brown George Ross LLP (“BGR”) and serve as counsel of 

record for Defendants V1969 Versace SMO LLC, V1969 Versace HG LLC, and V1969 USA 

LLC (collectively, “LVBHQ Defendants”). Dkt. No. 61. On December 1, 2016, a stipulated 

request to shorten time for the hearing on this motion was filed by Plaintiffs Gianni Versace, 

S.p.A. and Versace USA, Inc. (collectively, “Versace Plaintiffs”), Defendants Versace 19.69 

Abbligliamento Sportivo, S.r.l. and Theofanis Papadas (collectively, “VAS Defendants”), and

BGR. Dkt. No. 64. The Court granted the stipulation. Dkt. No. 66. On December 5, 2016, 

Versace Plaintiffs filed a reply stating that they would not oppose a conditional withdrawal. Dkt. 

No. 67. On December 8, 2016, the Court held a hearing on the motion, at which Versace 

Plaintiffs’ counsel Rosemarie Theresa Ring appeared and K.C. Maxwell appeared on behalf of

BGR. To discuss the basis for the motion, the Court held an in camera hearing with Ms. Maxwell 

only. After Ms. Ring rejoined the hearing, the Court in its discretion denied the motion on the 

record, without prejudice to BGR renewing the motion.

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“A corporation may appear in federal court only through licensed counsel.” United States v. 

High Country Broad. Co., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993); see also Civil L.R. 3-9(b) (“A 

corporation, unincorporated association, partnership or other such entity may appear only through 

a member of the bar of this Court.”)

Case 4:16-cv-03617-HSG Document 69 Filed 12/09/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

The Court ORDERS a client representative for the LVBHQ Defendants to appear in 

person before the Court on December 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. to address the issues raised in BGR’s 

motion to withdraw. BGR shall also appear at the hearing in person. Counsel for Versace 

Plaintiffs may appear by telephone, arranged via CourtCall, if they wish. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:

______________________________________

HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR.

United States District Judge

12/9/2016

Case 4:16-cv-03617-HSG Document 69 Filed 12/09/16 Page 2 of 2