Pecorino et al v. Vutec Corporation et al, No. 2:2011cv06312 - Document 21 (E.D.N.Y. 2012)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER - Accordingly, the Court will strike the answer for the Defendant submitted by Michael Farralane and will provide the Farralane corporation with an opportunity in which to secure counsel. When Farralane obtains counsel, the counsel must file a notice of appearance and an amended answer within 30 days of the entry of this order. Ordered by Judge Arthur D. Spatt on 6/19/12. (Coleman, Laurie)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ---------------------------------------------------------X PHILLIP A. PECORINO, ALDO MADAGLIA, SHEWARD & SONS & SONS, Plaintiffs, -against- MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER 11-CV-06312 (ADS)(ARL) VUTEC CORPORATION and FARRALANE LIGHTING AUDIO AND VIDEO SYSTEMS, INC., Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------X APPEARANCES: Leason Ellis LLP Attorneys for the Plaintiffs One Barker Avenue Fifth Floor White Plains, NY 10601 By: Cameron Sean Reuber, Esq., Jordan Grant Garner, Esq., Melvin C. Garner, Esq. Andie Michelle Schwartz, Esq., Of Counsel Harrington, Ocko & Monk, LLP Attorneys for the Defendant Vutec Corporation 81 Main Street Suite 215 White Plains, NY 10601 By: Kevin J. Harrington, Esq., John Terrence A. Rosenthal, Esq., Of Counsel SPATT, District Judge. On December 27, 2011, the Plaintiffs filed the present patent action against the Defendants Vutec Corporation ( Vutec ) and Farralane Lighting Audio and Video Systems, Inc. ( Farralane ). On January 23, 2012, Michael Farrell, President of Farralane Lighting & Audio Inc., filed an answer to the Complaint, pro se. After that, Vutec filed a motion to transfer venue and a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. Vutec s argument as to transfer hinges upon the assertion that Farralane is not a proper defendant in the action. Upon a review of these papers, it became apparent to this Court that Farralane is not being represented by an attorney. However, as a corporation, Farralane cannot appear pro se, and therefore its answer prepared and submitted by its President, Michael Farrell, is invalid. See Lattanzio v. COMTA, 481 F.3d 137, 139 40 (2d Cir. 2007) (noting that 28 U.S.C. § 1654 does not permit unlicensed laymen to represent anyone else other than themselves. ); Dow Chem. Pac. Ltd. v. Rascator Maritime, S.A., 782 F.2d 329, 336 (2d Cir. 1986). The reasoning underlying this rule is as follows: the conduct of litigation by a nonlawyer creates unusual burdens not only for the party he represents but as well for his adversaries and the court. The lay litigant frequently brings pleadings that are awkwardly drafted, motions that are inarticulately presented, proceedings that are needlessly multiplicative. In addition to lacking the professional skills of a lawyer, the lay litigant lacks many of the attorney s ethical responsibilities . . . . Jones v. Niagara Frontier Transp. Auth., 722 F.2d 20, 22 (2d Cir. 1983). This rationale applies equally to all artificial entities. Rowland v. Cal. Men's Colony, Unit II Men's Advisory Coun., 506 U.S. 194, 202, 113 S. Ct. 716, 121 L.Ed.2d 656 (1993). Thus, save in a few aberrant cases, the lower courts have uniformly held that 28 U.S.C. § 1654 . . . does not allow corporations, partnerships, or associations to appear in federal court otherwise than through a licensed attorney. Id. (footnote omitted). Accordingly, the Court will strike the answer for the Defendant submitted by Michael Farralane and will provide the Farralane corporation with an opportunity in which to secure counsel. When Farralane obtains counsel, the counsel must file a notice of appearance and an amended answer within 30 days of the entry of this order. SO ORDERED. Dated: Central Islip, New York June 19, 2012 ____/s/ Arthur D. Spatt_________ ARTHUR D. SPATT United States District Judge

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