Lopez v. Kwok

Opinion

3 ALEX LOPEZ, et al., 4 Case No. 2:25-cv-01033-GMN-NJK Plaintiffs, 5 Order v. 6 4 GAV KWOK, et al., Defendants. 8 9 On June 27, 2025, Defendants Gav Kwok and Freedom Isle LLC filed their answer. Docket 10} No. 5. 11 “A corporation may appear in federal court only through licensed counsel.” United States v. High Country Broadcasting Co., 3 F.3d 1244, 1245 (9th Cir. 1993). See also Rowland v. Cal. 13] Men's Colony, Unit IT Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1993) (“It has been the law 14] for the better part of two centuries ... that a corporation may appear in the federal courts only 15] through licensed counsel”). Here, Defendant Kwok specifically states that he is appearing pro se 16] and as the authorized representative for Defendant Freedom Isle LLC. Docket No. 5 at 4. Therefore, Defendant Freedom Isle LLC is in violation of the law requiring a corporation to appear 18] through licensed counsel. 19 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Defendant Freedom Isle LLC must retain licensed 20] counsel to represent it in this case and said counsel must enter an appearance on the Docket no later than August 1, 2025. The failure of an appearance of licensed counsel on behalf of Defendant 22 Freedom Isle LLC may result in sanctions. The Clerk’s Office is INSTRUCTED to add Defendants’ contact information to the Docket. See Docket No. 5 at 4-5. 25 Dated: July 1, 2025 x LES fe pn, I-Kppe 27 United-States, Magistrate Judge 28 .