Luo v. Kaiyi Inc.

Background

On April 11, 2025, the Court held a conference at which Defendant Hang Ying Li appeared without counsel. Li was not able to communicate fluently in English, and her cousin attended to interpret. The Court found that Li still could not communicate effectively and directed the Clerk of Court to try to locate volunteer legal counsel for her. The Clerk located prospective volunteer counsel, but Li later emailed the Court refusing that representation, criticizing the prospective lawyer, and asking to let her cousin serve as her “general power of attorney.”

Rulings and directions

The Court denied Li’s request. It stated that it could not allow Li to be represented by anyone who was not a lawyer admitted to practice in the Court. The Court also said it would file and keep Li’s email under seal because it contained criticisms of prospective volunteer counsel that were irrelevant and might be baseless.

The Court further admonished Li that she may not submit materials directly to the judge by email or other means. Instead, communications must be filed through the Pro Se Intake Unit by email attachment, mail, or hand delivery as described in the order.

Upcoming conference and warning

Unless the Court ordered otherwise, the parties were required to appear for an in-person pretrial conference on July 30, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. The Court said it would try to arrange for a Mandarin-speaking volunteer representative to translate between Mandarin and English for Li at that conference. It cautioned that such assistance might not be available at later conferences or at trial. Li might therefore need to arrange English-proficient counsel or a court-certified interpreter. The Court warned that if Li could not communicate in court through an English speaker, a default judgment against her could be entered or reentered.

Disposition

Judge Jesse M. Furman denied Li’s request to have her cousin represent her and issued the communication, translation, conference, and warning directives described above.