Allen v. Elam

Filing 4

ORDER DISMISSING CASE without prejudice. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 6/12/09. (bkp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION ROBERT L. ALLEN v. JAMES A. ELAM ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE Robert Allen filed a complaint in this case on April 9, 2009. Although it is signed by Mr. Allen, his address and telephone number are not stated, and the complaint says that Allen brings this action "by Roscoe D. Cunningham, his attorney." Mr. Cunningham's signature appears at the end of the complaint with his address and telephone number. On April 15, 2009, the Clerk of the Court sent Mr. Cunningham a letter stating that he was not enrolled to practice in this district, so within 30 days, he would need to comply with the enrollment procedures and Local Rule 83.5. The letter included a copy of Local Rule 83.5 and an enrollment application. More than 30 days passed, and Mr. Cunningham did not apply for enrollment. On May 26, 2009, the Court entered an order stating, in pertinent part: IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that counsel for plaintiff, Roscoe D. Cunningham, must notify the Court in writing no later than June 9, 2009, if he intends to continue as counsel of record for plaintiff in this matter. If Mr. Cunningham wishes to proceed as counsel for Mr. Allen, he must comply with the Local Rules of the Eastern District of Arkansas as stated in the letter sent by the Clerk's Office. On June 9, 2009, Mr. Cunningham wrote to the Clerk of the Court stating that he intended to hire a local lawyer, but the local lawyer whom he intended to hire did not respond to his letters and telephone calls. Mr. Cunningham requested that he be permitted to remain as attorney of record until a qualified attorney entered an appearance on behalf of the plaintiff. Because the plaintiff in this action is not proceeding pro se and is not represented by an No. 4:09CV00273 JLH DEFENDANT PLAINTIFF

attorney admitted to practice in the Eastern District Arkansas, this action is dismissed without prejudice. If the plaintiff chooses to refile his action, the complaint must be signed by an attorney authorized to practice in the Eastern District of Arkansas or the plaintiff must proceed pro se and comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2). IT IS SO ORDERED this 12th day of June, 2009.

J. LEON HOLMES UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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