Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01422/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01422-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CYNTHIA HOPSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

620 WEST CHARTER WAY LIMITED 

LIABILITY COMPANY,

Defendant.

No. 2:15-cv-1422-JAM-KJN PS

ORDER

Plaintiff, represented by counsel, commenced this disability access case on July 3, 2015. 

(ECF No. 1.) Thereafter, on September 3, 2015, defendant, a limited liability company, appeared 

through Sukhi Singh, a non-attorney who is affiliated with defendant in some capacity, and filed 

an answer to the complaint. (ECF No. 5.) On November 4, 2015, the action was referred to the 

undersigned pursuant to Local Rule 302(c)(21). (ECF No. 6.) 

Defendant, as a limited liability company, cannot appear in federal court without an 

attorney. Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993) (holding that 

corporations, partnerships, or associations may not appear in federal court otherwise than through 

a licensed attorney). Therefore, defendant’s answer, filed by a non-attorney, must be stricken.

However, in the interests of justice, the court finds it appropriate to grant defendant a 

reasonable period of time to obtain counsel.

Case 2:15-cv-01422-JAM-KJN Document 7 Filed 11/06/15 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendant’s answer (ECF No. 5) is STRICKEN.

2. This action is stayed until January 15, 2016 to allow defendant an opportunity to retain 

counsel and file a response to the complaint.

3. If defendant fails to appear through counsel and respond to the complaint by January 

15, 2016, plaintiff shall request the Clerk of Court to enter defendant’s default and 

subsequently move for a default judgment.

4. If the parties informally settle this case at any time, they shall promptly notify the 

court.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: November 6, 2015

 

Case 2:15-cv-01422-JAM-KJN Document 7 Filed 11/06/15 Page 2 of 2