Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01112/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01112-8/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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CAVEMAN FOODS, LLC,

Plaintiff,

v.

ANN PAYNE’S CAVEMAN FOODS, LLC,

Defendant.

No. Civ. S-12-1112 WBS

ORDER

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Before permitting an attorney to withdraw, leaving his 

or her client unrepresented, it is this court’s practice to 

assure that the client understands and assents to the 

consequences of being unrepresented by counsel. Where the client

is a corporate defendant, those consequences are dire. Because a 

corporation may appear only by an attorney (See Local Rule 

183(a); D-Beam Ltd. Partnership v. Roller Derby Skates, Inc., 366 

F.3d 972 (2004)) an unrepresented corporation cannot file any 

pleadings, make or oppose any motions, or present any evidence to 

contest liability.

Because the court was prevented from making those 

Case 2:12-cv-01112-WBS-CKD Document 55 Filed 04/08/14 Page 1 of 2
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assurances here, it will deny without prejudice the motion of 

Nancy Rubner Frandsen, Jacqueline M. Lesser and Kevin M. Bovard, 

and the firm, Baker & Hostetler, LLP to withdraw as counsel of 

record for defendant, Ann Payne’s Caveman Foods, LLC (“Ann 

Payne”). Ms. Frandsen and a representative of Ann Payne were 

permitted to appear by telephone at the hearing on the motion, 

but the corporation’s representative was instructed by his 

personal attorney not to answer any questions or speak to the 

court.

When the court attempted to explain the consequences of 

being unrepresented by counsel to the corporate representative, 

his personal attorney would not allow him to tell the court 

whether he understood. Ms. Frandsen has represented to the 

court, based on hearsay information, that Ann Payne has ceased 

all business operations and that there are no assets available 

for distribution to creditors, but the court was unable to verify 

that representation. The court was even unable to verify that 

the individual on the phone was a proper representative of Ann 

Payne.

Under these circumstances, the motion to withdraw 

(Docket No. 43) is DENIED, without prejudice to its being renewed 

under circumstances where the court can verify that the client 

understands and assents to the full consequences of the motion 

being granted.

Dated: April 8, 2014

Case 2:12-cv-01112-WBS-CKD Document 55 Filed 04/08/14 Page 2 of 2