HOOPER v. MOSIER et al

Filing 22

ORDER ON MOTION FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT AND DIRECTING DEFENDANT THE FINER DETAILS, LLC TO SHOW CAUSE - The Plaintiff's Application for Clerk's Entry of Default (Filing No. 14) is DENIED IN PART (as to defendant Ken Mosier) AND TAKEN UNDER ADVISE MENT IN PART (as to defendant The Fine Details, LLC). **SEE ORDER** Copy to Defendant's via U.S. Mail. Signed by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on 9/20/2016. (JLS)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION JACK HOOPER, Plaintiff, vs. KEN MOSIER and THE FINER DETAILS LLC, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. 1:16-cv-01385-TWP-DML ORDER ON MOTION FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT AND DIRECTING DEFENDANT THE FINER DETAILS, LLC TO SHOW CAUSE This matter is before the Court on the Plaintiff’s Application for Clerk’s Entry of Default against both defendants, Ken Mosier and The Finer Details, LLC. The Court finds that a clerk’s entry of default is not warranted as to defendant Ken Mosier. The Court requires defendant The Finer Details, LLC to show cause why an entry of default should not be made against it. A. Defendant Ken Mosier Defendant Ken Mosier, acting pro se, filed an Answer to Complaint on July 25, 2016. Default is an extreme remedy which should be given only when absolutely necessary. “In considering whether to grant default, courts may look to a number of factors including ‘the nature of the default, prejudice to the plaintiff, and whether the delay is excusable.’” Best Chairs, Inc. v. Factory Direct Wholesale, LLC, No. 3:14-CV-00067-RLY, 2015 WL 4641698, at *3 (S.D. Ind. Aug. 4, 2015). The Court, having reviewed the Plaintiff’s Application and noting that an answer was filed by Ken Mosier on July 25, 2016 (about 30 days after the Plaintiff served his Amended Complaint), finds that a clerk’s entry of default is not warranted for Ken Mosier. B. Defendant The Finer Details, LLC Defendant The Finer Details, LLC has not appeared in this case or filed an answer. The Answer to Complaint filed by Ken Mosier cannot be considered an answer filed by The Finer Details, LLC. The Finer Details, LLC cannot represent itself. As an entity and not a human being, it may only defend a case through an attorney. E.g., In re IFC Credit Corp., 663 F.3d 315, 318 (7th Cir. 2011). The Court ORDERS The Finer Details, LLC to appear by counsel and to show cause, in writing, by October 4, 2016, why an entry of default should not be made against it. Conclusion The Plaintiff’s Application for Clerk’s Entry of Default (Filing No. 14) is DENIED IN PART (as to defendant Ken Mosier) AND TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT IN PART (as to defendant The Fine Details, LLC). SO ORDERED. Date: 9/20/2016 Distribution: All ECF-registered counsel of record by email through the court’s ECF system Service by first class U.S. mail on: Ken Mosier 121 Commerce Drive, Suite 102 Danville, IN 46122 Ken Mosier 1447 Janetta Ct. Danville, IN 46122 The Finer Details, LLC 2001 E. Main Street Danville, IN 46122 2

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