Avis Copelin v. Athene Annuity and Life Company
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
AVIS COPELIN, Case No. 2:25-cv-00832-SB-JPR
Plaintiff,
ORDER (1) STRIKING THE FIRST
v.
AMENDED COMPLAINT (DKT.
ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE NOS. 47, 50) AND (2) ISSUING
COMPANY, ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
Defendant.
In this action, Plaintiff Avis Copelin purports to bring claims on behalf of Terry Gordon and herself. Because Plaintiff lacks authority to proceed pro se on claims asserted on behalf of Gordon, she has retained counsel. See Simon v. Hartford Life, Inc., 546 F.3d 661, 664 (9th Cir. 2008) (“It is well established that the privilege to represent oneself pro se provided by [28 U.S.C.] § 1654 is personal to the litigant and does not extend to other parties or entities.”). Counsel’s notice of appearance, however, stated that that he is representing Plaintiff as an agent for Terry Gordon, “not to include Avis Copelin, an Individual.” Dkt. No. 39.
Order Striking the First Amended Complaint
Because her initial complaint did not clearly delineate which claims she is bringing on behalf of Gordon and those brought in her individual capacity, the Court ordered…