Issawi et al v. American Education Services et al

Filing 24

ORDER DENYING 23 Motion to Disqualify Counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson on 9/5/2017. (sgp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
)
)
)
Plaintiffs,
)
)
v.
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AMERICAN EDUCATION SERVICES and)
)
SHELLY K. BOWMAN,
)
)
Defendants.
WADIE ISSAWI and HANAN ISSAWI,

Case No. 3:17-cv-532-JPG-DGW

ORDER
WILKERSON, Magistrate Judge:
Now pending before the Court is the “motion to disqualify two of the opposing counsel for
conflict of interest” filed by Plaintiffs on August 31, 2017 (Doc. 23). The Motion is DENIED.
Plaintiffs are again cautioned that any document filed with the Court must be signed in
accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. It is insufficient to merely type names at the
bottom of a motion: there must be a signature attesting that the representations are based on their
knowledge or belief and made after a reasonable inquiry. Any future motions or documents filed
that are not signed run the risk of being stricken.
Plaintiffs seek to disqualify defense counsel for perceived insults and slights which
Plaintiffs describe as discrimination and a violation of their “human rights.” As the Court
explained at the Scheduling Conference, while Plaintiffs may believe that they are being insulted,
the errors pointed out in their pleadings are just that, innocuous errors.

These typographical

errors are not grounds for disqualifying an attorney. As to Plaintiffs’ contention that they are
being “verbally abused, discriminated against, treated like we were criminals, made fun of, given
dirty looks, called names . . . ,” these accusations are again made in the context of typographical

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errors. They are not grounds for disqualifying opposing counsel nor are they examples of
unethical conduct.

Plaintiffs are simply overreacting.

As indicated at the Scheduling

Conference, Plaintiffs should focus their efforts and energy on the underlying claims in this case
and refrain from focusing on tangential matters. Filing such frivolous motions as this can only
delay these proceedings.
DATED: September 5, 2017

DONALD G. WILKERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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