NML Capital, Ltd. v. Republic of Argentina

Filing 302

ORDER granting #291 Motion to Withdraw Counsel; ORDER granting #292 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney ; ORDER granting #295 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that M.F. Corporate Services and M.F. Legal Services have until March 9, 2018 to designate new counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach on 2/7/2018. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF, cc: pursuant to Order - JM)

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

2

DISTRICT OF NEVADA

3

***

4
5

NML CAPITAL, LTD.,
6

Plaintiff,
7
8

vs.
THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA,

9

2:14-cv-00492-RFB-VCF
ORDER

Defendant.

10
11

Before the Court are the Request to Reinstate Motion for Sanctions (ECF No. 243), and the

12

Motions to Withdraw as Counsel of Record (ECF Nos. 292 and 295). The Court held a hearing and heard

13

representations from the parties. The Motions to Withdraw are granted for the following reasons.

14

Discussion

15

This action commenced on April 1, 2014. (ECF No. 1). Local Rule IA 11-6 provides that “[e]xcept

16

for good cause shown, no withdrawal or substitution will be approved if it will result in delay of discovery,

17

the trial, or any hearing in this case.” Trial date has not been set.

18

Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(a)(3) provides that a lawyer may withdraw if the “[t]he

19

lawyer is discharged.” Here, based on counsel’s representation that M.F. Corporate Services (Nevada)

20

Limited has dissolved and MF Legal Services is no longer able to function as an ongoing business, the

21

Court permits counsel to withdraw. (ECF Nos. 292 at 3 and 295 at 3) LR IA 11-6(b); NRPC 1.16(a)(3).

22

The Court finds that permitting counsel to withdraw would not result in delay. LR IA 11-6(e).

23

28 U.S.C. § 1654 provides that “[i]n all courts of the United States the parties may plead and

24

conduct their own cases personally.” See C.E. Pope Equity Trust v. United States, 818 F.2d 696, 697 (9th

25

Cir. 1987). Although individuals may represent themselves pursuant to this statute, a corporation is not

1

permitted to appear in Federal Court unless it is represented by counsel. U.S. v. High Country

2

Broadcasting Co., Inc., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993). An individual also does not have the right to

3

appear on behalf of anyone other than himself. Pope, 818 F.2d at 697. The Ninth Circuit has permitted

4

motions to strike and motions to dismiss pleadings filed by pro se parties on behalf of entities including

5

trusts. Id. at 698; United States v. Nagy, C11-5066BHS, 2011 WL 3502488 (W.D. Wash. Aug. 10, 2011).

6

M.F. Legal Services and M.F. Corporate Services (Nevada) Limited may not proceed pro se, as

7

corporations must be represented by counsel. The Court finds that permitting counsel to withdraw would

8

not result in delay. LR IA 11-6.

9
10
11
12
13

Accordingly, and for Good Cause Shown,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that NML Capitial, LTD.’s Request to Reinstate Motion for Sanctions
(ECF No. 243) to Court’s pending Motion Calendar (ECF No. 291) is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motions to Withdraw as Counsel of Record (ECF Nos. 292
and 295) are GRANTED.

14

In order to provide for a reasonable notice and opportunity to be hearing on issues remaining in

15

this case, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that M.F. Corporate Services (Nevada) Limited and M.F. Legal

16

Services have until March 9, 2018 to designate new counsel. If M.F. Corporate Services (Nevada) Limited

17

and M.F. Legal Services are unable to designate new counsel by March 9, 2018, IT IS ORDERED that

18

they designate an agent in Nevada for service of papers filed in this case and provide current functioning

19

email addresses for every party they represent in this case. If no counsel is designated by March 9, 2018,

20

and if liability for sanctions are ordered, it will be ordered solely on the briefing of the Motion for

21

Sanctions (ECF No. 243). The amount of sanctions will necessarily be the subject to further briefing if

22

required.

23

The Clerk of Court is directed to mail and email a copy of this order to the following address(es):

24
25

M.F. Corporation Services (Nevada) Limited
6550 South Pecos Rd., Suite 120

Las Vegas, Nevada 89120
1
2
3
4

MF Legal Services f/k/a Mossack Fonseca & Co.
P.O. Box 0832
WTC
Panama, Republic of Panama
Via e-mail: [e-mail]

5

7

Patricia Anumategui
6550 South Pecos Rd, Suite 120
Las Vegas, Nevada 89120

8

The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate Patricia Anumategui as a party in this case.

9

IT IS SO ORDERED.

6

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

DATED this 7th day of February, 2018.
_________________________
CAM FERENBACH
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE