Opinion
Case No. 2:17-cv-10567
06-22-2017
ABELARDO MORALEZ, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL SHANNON MOORE, THOMAS WILSON, AMANDA RISKA, ROBERT D. MOORE, JASON GANZHORN, RICHARD MICHAEL KLIMMER, GERALD WHALEN, GLENN J. PAGE, PATRICK BURTCH, JENNY MORRIS, SHERIDAN SURVEYING, P.C., THOMAS TINKLEPAUGH, and ADAM BROOKER, Defendants.
District Judge Laurie J. Michelson
ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANT SHERIDAN SURVEYING , P.C.'S APRIL 20, 2017 LETTER (DE 27) and DIRECTING DEFENDANT SHERIDAN SURVEYING, P.C. TO ENTER AN APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL
Plaintiff filed this lawsuit in pro per on February 21, 2017 against several defendants, including Sheridan Surveying, P.C. (DE 1 at 1.) It seems that Defendant Sheridan Surveying is mentioned within Count III, Count V and a section of the complaint labeled, "1983 federal litigated damages[,]" and that the claims against it concern the alleged loss of land associated with a survey performed on the property line between 723 Page Ave., Jackson, MI (the location of Moorski's Pub) and 729 Page Ave., MI (Plaintiff's residence). (DE 1 at 7, 10, 21.)
By a letter dated April 14, 2017, filed on April 20, 2017, and signed by its president (David Erickson), Defendant Sheridan Surveying has asked this Court to dismiss Plaintiff's case against it as frivolous and unsubstantiated. (DE 27.) This is problematic, as the Court has no reason to believe that Mr. Erickson is an attorney and a corporation cannot appear on its own behalf. "The rule of this circuit is that a corporation cannot appear in federal court except through an attorney." Doherty v. Am. Motors Corp., 728 F.2d 334, 340 (6th Cir. 1984) (citing Ginger v. Cohn, 426 F.2d 1385, 1386 (6th Cir.1970); United States v. 9.19 Acres of Land, 416 F.2d 1244, 1245 (6th Cir.1969)).
Meanwhile, on June 13, 2017, this Court entered an order which, in part, noticed a status / scheduling conference for June 21, 2017. (DE 50.) On that date, Plaintiff appeared, as did the following defense attorneys: Brendon R. Beer (for Michael Shannon Moore and Robert D. Moore); Rhonda R. Stowers (for Ganzhorn, Klimmer, Burtch, Morris, Tinklepaugh and Brooker); Jason A. Geissler (for Whalen); and Elizabeth R. Husa Briggs (for Page). Defendant Sheridan Surveying, P.C. did not appear. Through a mistake by the Court, it appears that Defendant Sheridan Surveying did not receive notice of this hearing.
In any event, by receipt of this order, a copy of which will be mailed to Defendant Sheridan Surveying, P.C. at 910 Fifth Street, Michigan Center, MI 49254, this Defendant is notified that it may not appear in this Court "except through an attorney." Doherty, 728 F.2d at 340. As such, Defendant Sheridan Surveying is DIRECTED to enter an appearance of counsel on its behalf. Otherwise, it risks entry of default or default judgment against it. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: June 22, 2017
s/Anthony P. Patti
Anthony P. Patti
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was sent to parties of record on June 22, 2017, electronically and/or by U.S. Mail.
s/Michael Williams
Case Manager for the
Honorable Anthony P. Patti