Opinion ID: 619535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wallach's Lack of Standing To Oppose Forfeiture

Text: In order to interpose a challenge to a civil in rem forfeiture action brought by the government, a claimant must have standing within the meaning of Article III of the Constitution. See, e.g., United States v. Cambio Exacto, S.A., 166 F.3d 522, 526 (2d Cir.1999); Forfeiture Action Rule G(8)(b)(i). To have Article III standing, a complainant must demonstrate (1) a concrete, particularized, and actual or imminent injury, (2) a causal connection between the injury and the conduct complained of, and (3) a likel[ihood] . . . that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision of the court. Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 560-61, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992) (internal quotation marks omitted). Wallach has not met these requirements. As Wallach signed and ratified the Stipulation in which he agreed not to contest the forfeiture of the Jammers to the government and agreed not to assert any claim against the government with respect to its acquisition of the Jammers, the forfeiture cannot cause him injury. The district court correctly granted the government's motion to strike or for summary judgment on the ground of Wallach's lack of standing. Finally, we note that Wallach, in his Answer in the district court, also asserted that his signing the Stipulation on behalf of Wireless could not bind Wireless because the Stipulation had not received official corporate approval. Nothing in his papers, however, serves to preserve any right that may have belonged to Wireless, for a corporation is not allowed to appear in federal court except by a licensed attorney, see, e.g., Rowland v. California Men's Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 202, 113 S.Ct. 716, 121 L.Ed.2d 656 (1993); and Wallach as a non-attorney is not allowed, in federal court, to represent anyone other than himself, see, e.g., 28 U.S.C. § 1654; Powerserve International, Inc. v. Lavi, 239 F.3d 508, 514 (2d Cir.2001).