Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-00162/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-00162-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Legal Malpractice

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY J AUSTIN, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

GRAHAM TAYLOR, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 15-cv-00162-JSC 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’

SUBSTITUTION OF ATTORNEY

Re: Dkt. Nos. 18 & 19

Plaintiffs Larry Austin, Furama Los Angeles, Inc., and Dragon Charm, LLC filed this civil 

action in January 2015. The Court has granted Plaintiffs three extensions of time to serve the 

complaint. On the deadline to file their amended complaint, Plaintiffs instead filed a notice of 

substitution of attorney seeking to replace attorney James Braden with themselves in pro se and a 

further motion for extension of time to amend and serve their complaint. (Dkt. Nos. 18 & 19.) 

Plaintiffs’ notice of substitution is DENIED for failure to comply with the local rules and the 

motion for an extension of time is STRICKEN as it was improperly filed by Plaintiffs pro se.

Civil Local Rule 11-5 sets forth the requirements whereby counsel can seek leave to 

withdraw. Plaintiffs’ counsel must file a motion that complies with the Local Rules. Further, two 

of the Plaintiffs here are corporations and a corporation cannot proceed pro se. See Civ. 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.”); see also Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, Unit 

II Men's Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993) (“a corporation may appear in the federal 

courts only through licensed counsel”). Plaintiffs Furama Los Angeles, Inc., and Dragon Charm, 

LLC, thus must obtain alternate legal counsel to proceed with this action.

Accordingly Plaintiffs’ counsel, James Braden, shall file a motion which complies with 

Case 3:15-cv-00162-VC Document 20 Filed 11/04/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

this Order and the Local Rules on for before November 12, 2015. Failure to do so may result in 

the dismissal of this action without prejudice for failure to prosecute. 

This Order disposes of Docket Nos. 18 and 19.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 4, 2015

________________________

JACQUELINE SCOTT CORLEY

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:15-cv-00162-VC Document 20 Filed 11/04/15 Page 2 of 2