Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00229/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00229-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PAUL MONTANEZ, 

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

VELASCO, et al.,

 Defendants.

1:12-cv-00229-DAD-EPG-PC

ORDER ADDRESSING ATTORNEY 

APPEARANCE

(ECF No. 44.)

ORDER FOR CLERK TO REFLECT 

PLAINTIFF’S PRO PER STATUS ON 

COURT RECORD

THIRTY-DAY DEADLINE TO 

SUBMIT ATTACHED FORM FOR 

SUBSTITUTION OF ATTORNEYS

I. BACKGROUND

This is a civil rights action filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by Paul Montanez (“Plaintiff”), 

a Los Angeles County Jail inmate proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis. The initial 

Complaint, upon which this case now proceeds, was filed by Plaintiff on February 17, 2012. 

(ECF No. 1.)

On March 9, 2016, Attorney Justin A. Palmer, Esq., filed a notice of appearance as 

counsel of record for Plaintiff. (ECF No. 44.) 

II. SUBSTITUTION OF ATTORNEYS

Attorney Palmer requests to be served with all pleadings and other documents in this 

case. However, at this juncture, Plaintiff is proceeding in propria persona.

1

 To substitute an 

 

1A litigant proceeding in propria persona, or pro se, is one who represents himself in a Court proceeding 

without the assistance of a lawyer. Black=s Law Dictionary, 1256, 1258 (8th ed. 2004).

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attorney in place of himself as attorney of record, Plaintiff must submit a substitution of 

attorneys document to the Court, setting forth the full name and address of the new attorney, 

and signed by Plaintiff (as the withdrawing attorney and client) and the new attorney. Local 

Rule 182(g). “All substitutions of attorneys shall require the approval of the Court, and the 

words ‘IT IS SO ORDERED’ with spaces designated for the date and signature of the Judge 

affixed at the end of each substitution of attorneys.” Id. A form for substitution of attorneys 

shall be sent to Plaintiff for his use. If Plaintiff seeks to substitute Attorney Palmer as his 

attorney of record, he should return the completed form within thirty days.

Until a substitution of attorneys is granted by the Court, Plaintiff’s address of record 

shall reflect his address of residence. There is no Federal Rule of Civil Procedure or Local 

Rule allowing service of Court and other legal documentation at an address other than a pro se

litigant=s actual address. Local Rule 131, Local Rule 182(f), and Local Rule 183(b) require pro 

se litigants to inform the Court of their addresses and to keep the Court informed of any change 

in their addresses. 

III. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This order addresses the appearance of Attorney Justin A. Palmer as counsel for 

Plaintiff in this action on March 9, 2016;

2. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to:

(1) Reflect Plaintiff’s current status as a pro per litigant on the Court’s 

docket;

(2) Reflect Plaintiff’s address of record as:

Paul Montanez

3844012

Los Angeles County Jail

P.O. Box 86164

Terminal Annex

Los Angeles, CA 90086-164

(3) Serve a copy of this order on:

Justin A. Palmer, Esq.

Filer/Palmer, LLP

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249 East Ocean Blvd., Suite 501

Long Beach, CA 90802

(4) Attach a copy of form AO-154 for substitution of attorneys to this order;

and

3. If Plaintiff wishes to substitute Attorney Justin A. Palmer as his attorney of 

record, Plaintiff shall complete and return the attached form for substitution of 

attorneys within thirty days of the date of service of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 11, 2016 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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