Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_17-cv-02628/USCOURTS-cand-5_17-cv-02628-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans w/ Disabilities Act (ADA)

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

RACHELLE RIDOLA,

Plaintiff,

v.

RED SANDLEWOOD, LLC, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 17-cv-02628-BLF 

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 

MOTION TO STRIKE DEFENDANT 

RED SANDLEWOOD LLC’S ANSWER 

TO PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT AND 

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT

[ECF 72]

On June 20, 2019, the Court granted Andrea Justo and the Costanzo Law Firm, APC’s

motion to withdraw as counsel for Defendant Hung Quang Nguyen, d/b/a Tip Top Liquors 

(“Nguyen”) because Defendants had agreed that Defendant Nguyen would be represented by Mr. 

Michael Welch, counsel for Defendant Red Sandlewood, LLC (“Sandlewood”). ECF 64.1 

On September 5, 2019, the Court granted Michael Welch’s unopposed Motion to 

Withdraw as Counsel for Defendants. ECF 71. In that Order, the Court stayed the case for 30 

days to allow Defendants to secure new counsel. Id. The Court noted that failure to obtain 

counsel “will result in the Court striking the answer as to Defendant Sandlewood and issuing a 

default judgment against Defendant Sandlewood, because Sandlewood is not permitted to 

represent itself in court.” Id. To date, new counsel has not appeared on behalf of Sandlewood.

Before the Court is Plaintiff Rachelle Ridola’s unopposed Motion to Strike Defendant Red 

Sandlewood LLC’s Answer to Plaintiff’s Complaint and First Amended Complaint. ECF 72. “A 

corporation, unincorporated association, partnership or other such entity may appear only through 

a member of the bar of this Court.” See Local Rule 3-9 (b). The stay ordered in this case has long 

 

1 On April 14, 2019, Mr. Welch filed an answer to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint on behalf 

of both Defendants. ECF 60.

Case 5:17-cv-02628-BLF Document 81 Filed 11/14/19 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

expired and Sandlewood remains unrepresented by counsel. Thus, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s 

motion. Sandlewood’s answer to Plaintiff’s original complaint at ECF 28 and its answer to 

Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint at ECF 60 (as to Sandlewood) are hereby STRICKEN.

The motion hearing set for February 13, 2020, is hereby VACATED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 14, 2019

______________________________________

BETH LABSON FREEMAN

United States District Judge

Case 5:17-cv-02628-BLF Document 81 Filed 11/14/19 Page 2 of 2