Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA) Inc. v. Royal Halo LLC

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY (U.S.A.) INC. AS AGENT FOR MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY S.A., Plaintiff, 24-CV-2292 (GLC) -against- ORDER ROYAL HALO LLC, Defendant.

JESSICA G. L. CLARKE, United States District Judge: Plaintiff filed a Complaint in this action on March 27, 2024 and filed proof of service of the Summons and Complaint on April 23, 2024. ECF Nos. 1 and 7. On April 25, 2024, the Clerk of Court issued a Certificate of Default and Plaintiff moved for a default judgment. ECF Nos. 11 and 12. On May 22, 2024, Defendant Royal Halo LLC filed an Answer to the Complaint and appears to be proceeding pro se. ECF No. 16. A corporate entity, however, may appear in federal court only through counsel. See Lattanzio v. COMTA, 481 F.3d 137, 140 (2d Cir. 2007). Accordingly, the Court grants Defendant 30 days to retain counsel. By July 3, 2024, Defendant’s counsel shall file a notice of appearance. If counsel fails to appear on behalf of Defendant, default judgment may be entered against it. See, e.g., Grace v. Bank Leumi Tr. Co. of N.Y., 443 F.3d 180, 192 (2d Cir. 2006). Plaintiff is ORDERED to serve Defendant with a copy of this Order by June 5, 2024 and file proof of such service on the docket no later June 6, 2024. Dated: June 3, 2024 New York, New York SO ORDERED.

JESSICA G. L. CLARKE TInited States TDistrict Tidsoe