Case 2:21-cv-09402-MWF-PLA Document 14 Filed 01/10/22 Page 1 of 2 Page ID #:74

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL

Case No. CV 21-9402-MWF (PLAx) Date: January 10, 2022 Title Jessica Jessa Hinton, et al. v. Vivid Ent. Grp., et al.

Present: The Honorable: MICHAEL W. FITZGERALD, United States District Judge Rita Sanchez Not Reported Deputy Clerk Court Reporter / Recorder

Attorneys Present for Plaintiffs: Attorneys Present for Defendants: Not Present Not Present

Proceedings: (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

On January 6, 2022, Defendant TMBJ Investments, Inc., d/b/a Vivid Gentlemen’s Club, d/b/a Vivid Live Houston (“TMBJ”), submitted its Answer through the Electronic Document Submission System (“EDSS”). (See Docket No. 12). EDSS is only for use by pro se litigants – however, TMBJ is a corporate entity.

Individual litigants may represent themselves pro se, but corporations and associations must be represented by counsel. See Church of the New Testament v. United States, 783 F.2d 771, 773 (9th Cir. 1986) (unincorporated association); In re Highley, 459 F.2d 554, 555 (9th Cir. 1972) (corporations). In addition, non- attorney litigants may not represent other individual litigants or trusts for which they serve as trustee. See Johns v. County of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir. 1997) (minor children); C.E. Pope Equity Trust v. United States, 818 F.2d 696, 697–98 (9th Cir. 1987) (trust); McShane v. United States, 366 F.2d 286, 288 (9th Cir. 1996) (other litigants). A partner may not represent his or her own interest in a partnership pro se, and a sole shareholder may not represent a corporation. See In re Am. West Airlines, 40 F.3d 1058, 1059 (9th Cir. 1994) (per curiam) (partner); United States v. High Country Broad Co., Inc., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993) (per curiam) (shareholder).

CV-90 (03/15) Civil Minutes – General Page 1 of 2 Case 2:21-cv-09402-MWF-PLA Document 14 Filed 01/10/22 Page 2 of 2 Page ID #:75

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL

Case No. CV 21-9402-MWF (PLAx) Date: January 10, 2022 Title Jessica Jessa Hinton, et al. v. Vivid Ent. Grp., et al. In other words, TMBJ needs to be represented by a lawyer. For now, the Court will allow the Answer to stand to prevent an immediate default. However, if a lawyer does not enter the action for TMBJ or if some exception to the general rule isn’t shown – which the Court doubts exists – then the Answer will be stricken and Plaintiff will be directed obtain entry of default by the Clerk and then entry of default judgment by this Court.

Accordingly, the Court ORDERS Defendant TMBJ to show cause, in writing, on or before February 11, 2022, why the Answer should not be stricken. The appearance of a lawyer for TMBJ will be a sufficient response to discharge the Order to Show Cause. In other words, the Court is giving TMBJ a month to find a lawyer.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

CV-90 (03/15) Civil Minutes – General Page 2 of 2