Ross et al v. Bartle et al

Filing 10

ORDER - The Motion to Withdraw (Filing No. 9 ) is granted. The planning conference scheduled in this matter for May 23, 2017 is hereby continued to July 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Plaintiff's counsel shall initiate the call to the Court. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Susan M. Bazis. (Copy mailed to pro se party) (KLF)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA
RON ROSS;
Plaintiff,
vs.
8:17CV119
JOHN BARTLE; ROBERT L. RYNARD,
SR.; DANA WADMAN-HUTH; REBECCA
BARTLE; DANE STARBUCK; RYNARD
ENTERPRISES, INC., a/k/a RYNARD
ENTERPRISES,
LLC;
BVM
MANAGEMENT, INC., a/k/a BETHANY
VILLAGE MANAGEMENT; BETHANY
VILLAGE
APARTMENTS,
INC.;
BETHANY VILLAGE APARTMENTS –
NEW CASTLE, INCL; AMERICARE
COMMUNITIES III, LLC; and BVM
LAKESHORE, LLC,

ORDER

Defendants.
This matter is before the Court on the Motion to Withdraw (Filing No. 9) filed by
Howard T. Duncan, attorney of record for the following Defendants: John Bartle; Rebecca
Bartle; BVM Lakeshore, LLC; BVM Management LLC; Bethany Village Apartments, Inc.;
Bethany Village Apartments – New Castle, Inc.; Americare Communities, III, LLC; Robert
Rynard, Sr. and Rynard Enterprises, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as “Defendants”).
Mr. Duncan’s motion indicates that he and his clients are no longer able to communicate,
cooperate, proceed with the previously agreed-to mediation, or otherwise work together in
this matter. Mr. Duncan states he has provided a copy of his motion to his clients prior to
filing it with the Court. Under the circumstances, the Court finds the Motion to Withdraw
should be granted.

IT IS ORDERED:

1.

The Motion to Withdraw (Filing No. 9) is granted.

2.

Mr. Duncan shall promptly mail a copy of this Order to Defendants, and file a

certificate of service stating the date and manner of service, and the names and addresses
served. Mr. Duncan will not be relieved of applicable duties to the Court, Defendants, and
opposing counsel until proof of service is filed. Upon Mr. Duncan’s submission of proof of
service, the Clerk of Court shall terminate his appearance as counsel of record for
Defendants.

3.

Upon the filing of proof of service pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Order, the

individually-named defendants, John Bartle, Robert Rynard, Sr., and Rebecca Bartle, will be
deemed to be proceeding pro se, that is, without the assistance of counsel, unless substitute
counsel has entered a written appearance on their behalf. If substitute counsel has not
entered a written appearance, the individual defendants shall each file a written notice with
the Clerk of the Court of their current address and telephone number within five (5) business
days of being served with this Order. The individual defendants are hereby advised that they
may obtain counsel at any time. However, until such time as substitute counsel enters a
written appearance, they must comply with all orders of this Court, the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, and the Local Rules of Practice. Failure to comply could result in the imposition
of sanctions, including, but not limited to, costs and the entry of default.

4.

The corporate defendants, Rynard Enterprises, Inc., BVM Management, Inc.,

Bethany Village Apartments, Inc., Bethany Village Apartments - New Castle, Inc.,
Americare Communities III, LLC, and BVM Lakeshore, LLC, cannot litigate in this forum
without representation by licensed counsel. See Rowland v. California Men’s Colony, Unit II
Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 202 (1993) (“[A] corporation may appear in the
federal courts only through licensed counsel.”). The Court will grant the above-named
corporate defendants until June 16, 2017, to obtain the services of counsel and have that
attorney file an appearance on their behalf. Failure to obtain substitute counsel may result in
the entry of a default judgment against them without further notice. See Ackra Direct Mktg.
Corp. v. Fingerhut Corp., 86 F.3d 852, 857 (8th Cir. 1996) (stating that a corporation was

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technically in default as of the date its counsel was permitted to withdraw from the case
without substitute counsel appearing).

5.

The planning conference scheduled in this matter for May 23, 2017 is hereby

continued to July 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Plaintiff’s counsel shall initiate the call to the
Court.
Dated this 16th day of May, 2017.
BY THE COURT:
s/ Susan M. Bazis
United States Magistrate Judge

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