Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00590/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00590-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KATHRYN THAUT et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

K. HSIEH, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:15-cv-0590-JAM-KJN PS

ORDER

On July 1, 2015, plaintiffs filed a request for an order either submitting defendants’ two 

pending motions to dismiss on the briefs submitted by the parties or granting plaintiffs the ability 

to appear telephonically at the July 16, 2015 hearing on defendants’ motions to dismiss. (ECF 

No. 27.) With regard to the request to appear telephonically, plaintiffs request that the court 

permit plaintiff David Edwards be allowed to appear telephonically from California State Prison –

Solano “to speak for the other plaintiffs in this case.” (Id. at 2.) Plaintiffs further request that 

David Edwards also be permitted to appear telephonically on plaintiffs’ behalf at the initial 

scheduling conference, which is currently scheduled for August 6, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. (Id.)

Based on a review of the parties’ briefing regarding defendants’ motions to dismiss that 

has been filed thus far, the court finds that oral argument will likely materially aid in the 

disposition of defendants’ motions. Accordingly, plaintiffs’ request that the court submit 

defendants’ motions on the parties’ briefs is denied. If the court believes that oral argument 

Case 2:15-cv-00590-JAM-KJN Document 28 Filed 07/06/15 Page 1 of 3
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would not materially aid in deciding defendants’ motions after the briefing on this matter has 

been completed, the court will submit this matter on the briefs sua sponte via minute order.

Plaintiffs’ request to appear telephonically at the July 16, 2015 hearing on defendants’ 

motions to dismiss, however, is with merit given plaintiffs’ distance from the court’s location and 

David Edwards’ incarceration. However, plaintiffs’ request that only David Edwards appear on 

behalf of all plaintiffs will not be granted. Because David Edwards is not an attorney, he may not 

appear on behalf of the other plaintiffs in this action. See C.E. Pope Equity Trust v. United 

States, 818 F.2d 696, 697 (9th Cir. 1987). As with the other plaintiffs, he may appear in this 

action only on his own behalf. Accordingly, the court grants plaintiffs’ request to appear 

telephonically at the July 16, 2015 hearing, but informs them that each individual plaintiff must 

make a telephonic appearance at the hearing on his or her own behalf. Plaintiffs are directed 

to call the undersigned’s courtroom deputy at (916) 930-4187 by no later than 10:00 a.m. on 

July 16, 2015, in order to make their appearances and begin the hearing. Furthermore, 

plaintiff David Edwards is informed that he shall make arrangements with the staff at 

California State Prison – Solano to ensure that he is able to call in to the court by no later than 

10:00 a.m. on the date of the hearing.

With respect to plaintiffs’ request to make a telephonic appearance at the August 6, 2015

initial scheduling conference, the court will deny this request at this time without prejudice. If 

plaintiffs still wish to appear telephonically at this conference after the July 16, 2015 hearing on 

defendants’ motions to dismiss, they may file a separate request.

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiffs’ request to submit defendants’ motions to dismiss on the briefing is 

denied.

2. Plaintiffs’ request to appear telephonically at the hearing on defendants’ motions 

to dismiss set for July 16, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. (ECF No. 27) is granted. Plaintiffs are informed 

that each of them shall call the undersigned’s courtroom deputy at (916) 930-4187 by no later 

than 10:00 a.m. on July 16, 2015, in order to make their appearances and begin the hearing.

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3. Plaintiffs’ request to appear telephonically at the initial scheduling conference set 

for August 6, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., is denied without prejudice to later renewal.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 6, 2015

Case 2:15-cv-00590-JAM-KJN Document 28 Filed 07/06/15 Page 3 of 3