Otis v. Pontiac Police Department et al

Filing 23

ORDER by Magistrate Judge John A. Gorman: The Rule 16 conference set for Wednesday, 11/28/12 at 10:00 AM is CANCELLED. Plaintiff given until Miscellaneous Deadline of 1/14/2013 for counsel to enter an appearance. Briefing schedule for pending Motion is vacated and will be reset upon timely entry of appearance to 21 days after appearance filing. Reply ddl is similarly extended. See written order. Entered on 11/27/12. (WW, ilcd)

E-FILED

Tuesday, 27 November, 2012 11:49:28 AM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

Jill Otis, pro se, on behalf of K.W.
Plaintiff

)
)
)
)
)
)
)

v.
Pontiac Police Department
Defendant

Case No. 12-1165

ORDER
The Rule 16 conference set for 11/27 is CANCELLED. Plaintiff is proceeding pro se,
purporting to represent the interests of her minor child K.W.
Pursuant to FRCP 17(c), a minor cannot sue on his own behalf; his suit must be brought by
a general representative, next friend or guardian ad litem. It is beyond dispute, however, that a nonlawyer may not represent any person or entity other than himself. Rowland v California Men’s
Colony, 506 US 199, 201-03 (1993). This principle extends to non-lawyer parents seeking to
represent their children; they must obtain counsel for the children. Navin v Park Ridge School
District 64, 270 F3d 1147, 1149 (7th Cir 2001).
Plaintiff Jill Otis is therefore given until January 14, 2013, for counsel to enter an
appearance. Failure to obtain counsel by that deadline may result in dismissal of this case.
The briefing schedule on the pending motion for summary judgment is VACATED;
plaintiff's response to the motion for summary judgment shall be filed within 21 days after counsel
has timely entered an appearance. Defendant’s reply deadline is similarly extended.

ENTER this 27th day of November, 2012.
s/ John A. Gorman
JOHN A. GORMAN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE