Motion: By Plaintiff Blanco for an Order Striking Defendant’s Answer
and Cross-Complaint, and Entering Defendant’s Default
Tentative Ruling:
To grant the plaintiff’s motion to strike defendant David J. Wright, DDS, Inc.’s answer and cross-complaint, and to enter defendant’s default. (Code Civ. Proc. § 436.) Explanation:
Defendant David J. Wright, DDS, Inc. is no longer represented by an attorney in the case, and indeed has not been represented since July of 2019, when the court granted an order relieving defendant’s counsel. However, a corporation is not allowed to represent itself in propria persona, nor can it be represented by any person who is not a licensed attorney. (Merco Constr. Engineers, Inc. v. Municipal Court (1978) 21 Cal.3d 724, 729-730; Paradise v. Nowlin (1948), 86 Cal.App.2d 897, 898.) Therefore, where a corporation attempts to represent itself in an action, the proper remedy is to strike the corporation’s pleading as improperly filed. (Himmel v. City Council of Burlin