Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00970/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00970-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
Sherita Waters
Plaintiff

Document Text:

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

SHERITA WATERS,

Plaintiff,

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Commissioner 

of Social Security,

Defendant.

No. 2:15-cv-0970 KJN (TEMP)

ORDER

On August 28, 2015, the previously assigned Magistrate Judge granted plaintiff’s motion 

to proceed in forma pauperis and ordered plaintiff to submit to the United States Marshal the 

documents necessary for service of process. (Dkt. No. 3.) Plaintiff was also ordered to file in this 

court a declaration stating the date on which the documents were submitted to the United States 

Marshal within five days after submitting those documents. 

Plaintiff, however, did not file a declaration stating the date on which the documents 

necessary for service were submitted to the United States Marshall, nor has the defendant 

appeared in this action. Accordingly, on January 21, 2016 the court issued an order directing 

plaintiff to show cause in writing within fourteen days as to why this action should not be 

dismissed for lack of prosecution. (Dkt. No. 7.) 

On February 9, 2016, plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment. (Dkt. No. 8.) 

Plaintiff, however, still has not filed a declaration stating the date on which the documents 

Case 2:15-cv-00970-GEB-KJN Document 9 Filed 03/09/16 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

necessary for service were submitted to the United States Marshall, nor has the defendant 

appeared in this action. In this regard, plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is premature and 

is denied without prejudice. Plaintiff is, again, advised that Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure provides that a defendant must be dismissed if service of the summons and 

complaint is not accomplished on the defendant within 90 days after the complaint was filed. 

Moreover, plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is signed by Lamont W. Allen, 

“Representative for Sherita G. Waters, Claimant.” (Dkt. No. 8 at 17.) The right to represent 

oneself pro se is personal to the plaintiff and does not extend to other parties. Simon v. Hartford 

Life, Inc., 546 F.3d 661, 664 (9th Cir. 2008); see also Russell v. United States, 308 F.2d 78, 79 

(9th Cir. 1962) (“A litigant appearing in propria persona has no authority to represent anyone 

other than himself”). Moreover, a non-attorney “has no authority to appear as an attorney for 

others than himself.” C.E. Pope Equity Trust v. U.S., 818 F.2d 696, 697 (9th Cir. 1987). 

Individuals who are representing themselves in this court may not delegate the litigation of their 

claims to any other individual. Local Rule 183(a).

In light of plaintiff’s pro se status, plaintiff will be afforded a final opportunity to comply 

with the orders of this court. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s February 9, 2016 motion for summary judgment (Dkt. No. 8) is denied 

without prejudice; and 

2. Plaintiff shall show cause in writing within fourteen days why this case should not be 

dismissed for lack of prosecution.1 Failure to file a timely response may result in the dismissal of 

this action.

Dated: March 9, 2016

/waters0910.osc2.service

 

1

 Plaintiff may also satisfy this order by filing a declaration stating the date on which the 

documents were submitted to the United States Marshal.

Case 2:15-cv-00970-GEB-KJN Document 9 Filed 03/09/16 Page 2 of 2