Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00688/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00688-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 05:704 Labor Litigation

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

On May 13, 2016, Plaintiffs filed a complaint in this action. (ECF No. 1.) On June 3, 

2016, Defendant Demi Ag. Inc. filed an answer to the complaint. (ECF No. 4.) The answer was 

signed and filed by Margarita Ortega, who states that Demi Ag Inc. belongs to her, but there is 

no indication that she is an attorney representing Defendant Demi Ag. Inc.

Defendant Demi Ag. Inc., a California corporation, is hereby advised that they may not 

appear in propria persona. Local Rule 183 provides that “[a] corporation or other entity may 

appear only by an attorney.” See also U.S. v. High Country Broadcasting Co., Inc., 3 F.3d 1244, 

1245 (9th Cir. 1993) (citing Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, Unit II Men’s Advisory 

Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201–02 (1993)) (recognizing that a corporation is not permitted to appear 

in federal courts unless it is represented by counsel). Defendant Demi Ag. Inc. is advised that it 

must, within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this order, seek and retain counsel, duly 

licensed to practice before the above-entitled Court, and have said counsel appear in this matter. 

OCTAVIANO JUAREZ, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

RAFAEL VILLAFAN, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:16-cv-00688-DAD-SAB

ORDER REQUIRING DEFENDANT DEMI 

AG. INC. TO RETAIN COUNSEL AND 

HAVE SAID COUNSEL APPEAR IN THIS 

ACTION

Case 1:16-cv-00688-DAD-SAB Document 5 Filed 06/07/16 Page 1 of 2
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Failure to have authorized counsel appear within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this order 

shall lead to sanctions at the discretion of the Court, including but not limited to the striking of 

the answer of Defendant Demi Ag. Inc. and the entry of default against Defendant Demi Ag. Inc. 

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendant Demi Ag. Inc. must 

seek and retain counsel, duly licensed to practice before the above-entitled Court, and have said 

counsel appear in this matter within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this order. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 7, 2016 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00688-DAD-SAB Document 5 Filed 06/07/16 Page 2 of 2