Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 18 v. Star Fire Fireplace Installation Inc

Filing 10

ORDER signed by Judge J P Stadtmueller on 2/27/09 striking 8 defendant's answer and 9 defendant's notice of appearance. See Order. (cc: defendant, all counsel)(nm)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
____________________________________________ S H E E T METAL W O R K E R S ' INTERNATIONAL A S S O C IA T IO N LOCAL 18, Plaintiff, v. S T A R FIRE FIREPLACE INSTALLATION, INC., D e fe n d a n t. ____________________________________________ C a s e No. 09-CV-46

ORDER
O n January 1, 2009, plaintiff Sheet Metal W o rk e rs ' International Association L o c a l 18 filed a complaint seeking to enforce an arbitration award pursuant to the L a b o r Management Relations Act of 1947, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 185. On F e b ru a ry 9, 2009, defendant Star Fire Fireplace Installation, Inc. ("Star Fire") filed a n answer. (Docket #8). Star Fire's answer and an accompanying notice of

a p p e a ra n c e are signed by Anne M. Rhoades, who does not purport to be an a t to r n e y . A l th o u g h individuals may appear in federal court pro se under

2 8 U.S.C. § 1654, corporations may only appear through licensed counsel. See R o w la n d v. Cal. Men's Colony, Unit II Men's Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1 9 9 3 ). Therefore, because Star Fire's answer is signed only by a non-attorney, it c a n n o t stand. See Operating Eng'rs Local 139 Health Benefit Fund v. Rawson

P lu m b in g , 130 F.Supp.2d 1022, 1023-24 (E.D. W is . 2001). Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 1 1 (a ), the court deems Star Fire's answer unsigned. See id. at 1024. A c c o r d in g ly , IT IS ORDERED that defendant's answer (Docket #8) and defendant's notice o f appearance (Docket #9) be and the same are hereby STRICKEN; D a te d at Milwaukee, W is c o n s in , this 27th day of February, 2009. BY THE COURT:

J .P . Stadtmueller U .S . District Judge

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