Opinion
4495-17 4496-17
12-20-2021
Athanasios Pragias & Cynthia Pragias, et al., Petitioners v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Respondent
ORDER
David Gustafson Judge.
On November 24, 2021, petitioners' counsel, Stephen D. Gardner, Clint Massengill, and Adriana Wirtz, filed separate similar motions to withdraw as counsel of record for petitioners and filed a first supplement on December 2, 2021, in each of these consolidated cases:
No. 4495-17, Athanasios Pragias & Cynthia Pragias (see Doc. 40, 41), No. 4496-17, James Romano & Dolores Romano (see, 43, 44).
Each motion, as supplemented, states that "Petitioners have affirmatively consented to counsels' withdrawal from this matter and that respondent has no objection to the granting of such motion". In each of the motions, as supplemented, counsel sets forth the current mailing addresses for petitioners in each of these cases (see No. 4495-17, Doc. 41, para. 3, and No. 4496-17, Doc. 44, para. 3). In view of the foregoing, it is
ORDERED that the motions to withdraw as counsel, as supplemented, are granted in each of these cases. Hereafter, petitioners Athanasios Pragias & Cynthia Pragias and petitioners James Romano & Dolores Romano shall: (1) represent themselves, (2) be responsible for preparing each of their respective cases for trial and for cooperating with their opponent (counsel for the Commissioner), and (3) be responsible for complying with this Court's rules and orders. If the petitioners intend to hire new counsel, they should do so immediately. We note that a majority of Tax Court petitioners represent themselves, and petitioners in these cases are free to do so. If petitioners are uncertain how to proceed, then they should telephone the Chambers Administrator of the undersigned judge (at 202-521-0850) for the purpose of setting up a conference call among the Court and the parties. It is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall amend the Court's record in the case at docket No. 4495-17 to reflect the Pragiases address provided in the motion, as supplemented, see Doc. 41, para. 3. It is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall amend the Court's record in the case at docket No. 4496-17 to reflect the Romanos's address provided in the motion, as supplemented, see Doc. 44, para. 3. It is further
ORDERED that the Court' Notice of Trial and Standing Pretrial Order issued for the Court's March 28, 2022, New York, New York, trial session remains in full force and effect. It is further
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall serve on the parties a copy of the Court's notice of trial and standing pretrial order, previously issued for the Court's March 28, 2022, New York, New York trial session. The petitioners shall each review these documents to assure their readiness for trial and are encouraged to register for electronic access (eAccess) so that they may electronically file and view documents in their Tax Court case. They may begin that registration process by emailing: dawson.support@ustaxcourt.gov. It is further
ORDERED that the parties are instructed to be diligent about obtaining the information necessary to prove their case, to be communicative and cooperative with each other in developing the case (and preparing the stipulation of facts), and to comply timely with orders that the Court issues in the future.