Sunset Equities Ltd. v. Donald J. Urgo & Associates, LLC
- Paul Gardephe
- 1:22-cv-08857
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 2
Sunset Equities v. Donald J. Urgo & Associates: Judge Gardephe ordered replacement counsel for the company and a choice for the individual plaintiff.
Sunset Equities Ltd. must obtain substitute counsel. Ron Hershco must tell the court by May 10, 2024, whether he will proceed with or without counsel and identify Sunset Equities’ lawyer.
What happened
In Sunset Equities Ltd. v. Donald J. Urgo & Associates, LLC, plaintiffs’ lawyer Bradley Gross told the court that he had been suspended from practicing law and could no longer represent them.
The court said Sunset Equities, a company, must arrange for a licensed lawyer because companies cannot appear in federal court without counsel. Plaintiff Ron Hershco may proceed without a lawyer if he chooses.
The court ordered Hershco to state by May 10, 2024, whether he will proceed with or without counsel and to identify the lawyer who will represent Sunset Equities. Judge Paul G. Gardephe entered the order.
The detailed version
- Sunset Equities Ltd. v. Donald J. Urgo & Associates, LLC · No. 1:22-cv-08857
- Paul Gardephe
- Apr. 9, 2024
Background
Plaintiffs’ counsel, Bradley Gross, informed the court in a July 11, 2023 letter that he had been suspended from practicing law and could no longer represent the plaintiffs.
Court’s Order
The court held that Sunset Equities Ltd., as a corporate entity, cannot appear in federal court without a licensed attorney. It therefore must arrange for substitute counsel. The court separately stated that Ron Hershco, as an individual, may proceed without a lawyer if he wishes.
The court ordered Hershco to advise it by May 10, 2024, whether he will proceed without a lawyer or through counsel, and to identify the lawyer who will represent Sunset Equities. The order addresses representation and does not decide the parties’ underlying claims.
Read the full 2-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.