Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01736/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01736-0/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On November 17, 2015, this matter was removed to this court. (Doc. 1) However, Plaintiff—

a corporation—has failed to appear through counsel. Indeed, it appears that Riverwood has not had 

counsel for quite some time. (Doc. 15) 

“It is a longstanding rule that [c]orporations and other unincorporated associations must appear 

in court through an attorney.” D Beam Ltd. P’ship v. Roller Derby Skates, Inc., 366 F.3d 972, 973 74 

(9th Cir. 2004) (citation and quotation marks omitted, second modification in original); LR 183(a). 

Further, a court may sanction corporate defendants by dismissing the action or striking its answer and 

entering default. See Galtieri Carlson v. Victoria M. Morton Enters., Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 

95335, at *3 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 26, 2010) (sanctioning corporate defendants by striking their answer 

when they failed to retain alternate counsel after the withdrawal of their original counsel); Rojas v. 

RIVERWOOD ENERGY, LLC,

 Plaintiff,

v.

WESTERN STATES INTERNATIONAL, 

INC., et al.,

Defendants.

AND RELATED COUNTER-CLAIMS

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Case No.: 1:15-cv-01736 DAD JLT

ORDER TO PLAINTIFF RIVERWOOD ENERGY, 

LLC TO APPEAR THROUGH COUNSEL WITHIN 

21 DAYS

Case 1:15-cv-01736-DAD-JLT Document 9 Filed 12/23/15 Page 1 of 2
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Hawgs Seafood Bar, Inc., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41435 at *2 (N.D. Cal. May 5, 2009) (“When a 

corporation fails to retain counsel to represent it in an action, its answer may be stricken and a default 

judgment entered against it”).

Therefore, the Court ORDERS:

1. Within 21 days, counsel for the corporation, Riverwood Energy, LLC, SHALL enter 

an appearance in this matter.

Plaintiff is advised that the failure to comply with this order or the failure of the corporation to 

appear through counsel will result in the action being dismissed without further notice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 23, 2015 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01736-DAD-JLT Document 9 Filed 12/23/15 Page 2 of 2