Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01216/USCOURTS-caed-2_10-cv-01216-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Breach of Contract

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAYMOND L. FARRIS et al.,

Plaintiffs, No. 2:10-cv-1216-GEB-JFM

vs.

CLARENCE WILSON, III, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

On May 19, 2010, this matter was removed from state court. Also on May 19,

2010, plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. However, a review of the court

record reflects that plaintiff Raymond Farris has attempted to bring this action on behalf of a

corporation, DVA Management Group, Inc., without benefit of counsel. 

Parties are allowed “to plead and conduct their own cases personally” in all courts

of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 1654 (1994). The privilege to conduct one’s own case is,

however, limited to claims of that party, and that individual has no authority to appear for

persons other than himself. McShane v. United States, 366 F.2d 286, 288 (9th Cir.1966).

Since a corporation cannot practice law, and can only act through

the agency of natural persons, it follows that it can appear in court

on its own behalf only through a licensed attorney. It cannot appear

by an officer of the corporation who is not an attorney, and may not

even file a complaint except by an attorney, whose authority to

Case 2:10-cv-01216-FCD-JFM Document 4 Filed 06/10/10 Page 1 of 2
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appear is presumed; in other words, a corporation cannot appear in

propria persona.

Laskowitz v. Shellenberger, 107 F.Supp. 397 (S.D. Cal. 1952) (citation omitted). A corporation

or other entity may appear only by an attorney. Local Rule 83-183(a).

Good cause appearing, Mr. Farris will be granted thirty days in which to obtain

counsel and file a substitution of attorney herein. Mr. Farris is cautioned that failure to comply

with this order will result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Mr. Farris is granted thirty days in

which to obtain counsel for the corporation and file a substitution of counsel herein.

DATED: June 8, 2010.

/014;farr1216.corp

Case 2:10-cv-01216-FCD-JFM Document 4 Filed 06/10/10 Page 2 of 2