Opinion
No. CIV S-11-1353 KJM-GGH
08-01-2011
ESCO MARINE INC., Plaintiff, v. SS PACIFIC STAR; et al., Defendants. AND COUNTERCLAIMS.
ORDER
Scott Smith Furstman, named counsel for defendants SS Pacific Star, International Maritime Security, Inc., International Maritime Security Alliance, LLC, Anne Falche, Kenneth Choi and Richard Naughton, and for counter claimant SS Pacific Star, filed a notice of suspension and disqualification on May 29, 2011. (ECF 112.) The clerk of the court is DIRECTED to terminate Mr. Furstman.
The court notes that Robert J. Sheppard was associated as counsel for SS Pacific Star, Anna Falche and Kenneth Choi on November 15, 2010. (ECF 81.) On March 8, 2011, Mr. Sheppard filed a notice disassociating himself as counsel for defendants SS Pacific, Kenneth Choi, International Data Security, Inc. and International Maritime Security Alliance, LLC. (ECF 97.) The notice filed on CM/ECF is only signed by Kenneth Choi; moreover, Mr. Sheppard had never been associated as counsel for International Data Security, Inc. or International Maritime Security Alliance, LLC. As such, Mr. Sheppard automatically became lead counsel for defendants SS Pacific and Anne Falche upon Mr. Furstman's unavailability. If Mr. Sheppard wishes to be disassociated as counsel, he may not do so unilaterally as he attempted to do on July 25, 2011 (ECF 126); rather, he must comply with Local Rule 182(d).
Furthermore, the court hereby ORDERS the remaining named corporate parties -International Data Security, Inc. and International Maritime Security Alliance, LLC - to find new counsel within thirty (30) days of the filing of this order or face entry of default. The remaining named individuals - Kenneth Choi and Richard Naughton - will be deemed to be proceeding pro se unless counsel substitutes in for them; any new counsel is to present him- or herself to the court within thirty (30) days of appointment.
The clerk of the court is DIRECTED to serve this order on Mr. Sheppard.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE