Opinion
Case No.: 1:14-cv-01645 - --- - JLT
01-12-2015
INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SUPPLIES, INC., et al. Plaintiffs, v. RESTORATION ENERGY, LLC, et al., Defendant.
ORDER STRIKING THE RESPONSIVE PLEADINGS (Docs. 8, 10) ORDER TO DEFENDANT RESTORATION ENERGY, LLC TO SHOW CAUSE WHY DEFAULT SHOULD NOT BE ENTERED
On December 22, 2014, Peter F. Schaefer, President of Restoration Energy, LLC, filed a Motion to Dismiss the complaint filed by Plaintiffs International Chemical Supplies, Inc. and Petroverde Caribe S.A. (Doc. 8.) In addition, Schaefer filed an answer to the complaint and counterclaim for breach of contract on behalf of Restoration Energy, LLC. (Doc. 10.)
Importantly, Schaefer is unable to represent Restoration Energy, LLC in this action. Although he reports he is the president of the organization, any entity must appear "only through licensed counsel." Rowland v. Cal. Men's Colony, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993); see also United States v. High Country Broad. Co., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993). As a result, Local Rule 183(a) of the Eastern District of California provides that "[a] corporation or other entity may appear only by an attorney." As such, the answer and motion to dismiss must be stricken.
Further, to the extent that Schaefer seeks to hold Antonio Jatar Alonso liable for breach of contract, he is unable to state a claim on behalf of the entity. In federal courts, "parties may plead and conduct their own cases personally or by counsel." 28 U.S.C. § 1654. "It is well established that the privilege to represent oneself pro se provided by § 1654 is personal to the litigant and does not extend to other parties or entities." Simon v. Hartford Life, Inc., 546 F.3d 661, 664 (9th Cir. 2008). Thus, only two forms of representation are authorized by Section 1654: "that by an attorney admitted to the practice of law by a governmental regulatory body and that by a person representing himself." See Lattanzio v. COMTA, 481 F.3d 137, 139 (2d Cir.2007)). As such, the counterclaims filed by Schaefer on behalf of Restoration Energy, LLC are improper, and must be stricken.
Based upon the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. The Motion to Dismiss filed on December 22, 2014 (Doc. 8) is STRICKEN;IT IS SO ORDERED.
2. The Answer to the Complaint and Counterclaim filed December 22, 2014 (Doc. 10) is STRICKEN; and
3. Defendant Restoration Energy, LLC, SHALL show cause within 30 days of the date of service why default should not be entered, or in the alternative, file a notice of appearance by licensed counsel and an appropriate responsive pleading.
Dated: January 12, 2015
/s/ Jennifer L. Thurston
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE