West v. Glenbrook Farms Herbs and Such, Inc.

Background

On May 22, 2020, the court ordered the parties to meet for at least one hour within 30 days after service of the summons and complaint, making a good-faith attempt to settle the case. The court also ordered them, within 15 additional days, to file a joint letter asking the court either to refer the case to mediation or a magistrate judge, while stating their preference, or to schedule an initial status conference.

Mary West filed an affidavit stating that Glenbrook Farms Herbs and Such, Inc. was served on May 21, 2020. The parties had not filed the required joint letter. The defendant’s answer was due on June 11, 2020. Lucinda Jenkins, identified as the defendant’s owner, filed an answer without a lawyer on July 9; it was docketed on July 13.

Rulings

Judge Ronnie Abrams ordered the parties to file the required joint letter no later than August 5, 2020. She also ordered the corporate defendant to secure counsel and have counsel enter an appearance by July 29, 2020. The court stated that a nonlawyer may not represent a corporation. The court noted that the defendant could seek help from the New York Legal Assistance Group’s Legal Clinic for Pro Se Litigants and directed the Clerk of Court to mail the order to the defendant at the address listed in the filing. The order did not decide the merits of the underlying case.