Lewis

I. BACKGROUND

Lewis, acting in pro. per., filed suit against defendants Am-Cal Services, Inc., Glenn Oribello, Timothy Hussey, and Green Island Enterprises on June 30, 2010, alleging improprieties in connection with a real estate foreclosure. By June 2011, Lewis was represented by counsel. On July 2, 2012, however, this attorney withdrew, and Lewis substituted as his own attorney. At the time, trial was scheduled for July 24, 2012. On July 12, 2012, the parties appeared for a hearing on defendants’ motion to bifurcate the trial. Lewis explained to the court that his attorney had “resigned” and asked for time to find a new attorney. Lewis told the court the attorneys he had contacted about assuming the representation told him they would not appear unless the trial date was vacated. The court responded, “I don’t see that happening, quite frankly,” noting the trial date had been set in February and commenting, “it doesn’t look like, to me, sir, you’re going to be ready to proceed to trial.” Defense counsel urged the court to leave the trial date intact. The court granted the motion to bifurcate and indicated the equitable portion of the case would be called for trial as scheduled,…