Opinion
20-CV-4085 (CM)
06-01-2020
EDUARD GLADYSHEV; NYHA CORP., Plaintiffs, v. JOSEFINA SHEA; JOHN DOE; BRANDPROTECTION.ORG, Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING PAYMENT OF FEE OR IFP APPLICATION :
Plaintiff Eduard Gladyshev brings this action pro se. To proceed with a civil action in this Court, a plaintiff must either pay $400.00 in fees - a $350.00 filing fee plus a $50.00 administrative fee - or, to request authorization to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP), that is, without prepayment of fees, submit a signed IFP application. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914, 1915.
NYHA Corp. is listed as a plaintiff in the caption of the complaint, which is signed only by Plaintiff Gladyshev. Corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies may not appear without counsel. See Lattanzio v. COMTA, 481 F.3d 137 (2d Cir. 2007) ("[W]e hold that a sole member limited liability company must be represented by counsel to appear in federal court."); Jones v. Niagara Frontier Transp. Auth., 722 F.2d 20, 22 (2d Cir. 1983) (noting that a corporation cannot proceed pro se). Moreover, as a pro se litigant, Plaintiff Gladyshev cannot act on behalf of another. See U.S. ex rel. Mergent Servs. v. Flaherty, 540 F.3d 89, 92 (2d Cir. 2008) ("[A]n individual who is not licensed as an attorney may not appear on another person's behalf in the other's cause." (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)); Iannaccone v. Law, 142 F.3d 553, 558 (2d Cir. 1998) ("[B]ecause pro se means to appear for one's self, a person may not appear on another person's behalf in the other's cause."). Accordingly, Plaintiff Gladyshev may not appear pro se on behalf of NYHA Corp. --------
Plaintiff submitted the complaint without the filing fees or an IFP application. Within thirty days of the date of this order, Plaintiff must either pay the $400.00 in fees or submit the attached IFP application. If Plaintiff submits the IFP application, it should be labeled with docket number 20-CV-4085 (CM). If the Court grants the IFP application, Plaintiff will be permitted to proceed without prepayment of fees. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1).
The Clerk of Court is directed to mail a copy of this order to Plaintiff and note service on the docket. No summons shall issue at this time. If Plaintiff complies with this order, the case shall be processed in accordance with the procedures of the Clerk's Office. If Plaintiff fails to comply with this order within the time allowed, the action will be dismissed.
The Court certifies under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this order would not be taken in good faith, and therefore IFP status is denied for the purpose of an appeal. Cf. Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962) (holding that appellant demonstrates good faith when seeking review of a nonfrivolous issue). SO ORDERED. Dated: June 1, 2020
New York, New York
/s/_________
COLLEEN McMAHON
Chief United States District Judge