The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
JACKSONVILLE DIVISION
JOHN ERHINYO,
Plaintiff,
vs. Case No. 3:25-cv-1308-MMH-SJH
GOOGLE LLC,
Defendant.
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ORDER
THIS CAUSE is before the Court sua sponte. Proceeding pro se, Plaintiff,
John Erhinyo, initiated this action on October 30, 2025, by filing a Complaint
for Damages for the Unlawful Deletion of Plaintiff’s Proprietary Trade Secret
(Doc. 1; Complaint). See generally Complaint. In the Complaint, Erhinyo
purports to “bring[] this action on his own behalf and on behalf of his interests
in ALLBEAMS INC.” See id. ¶ 13. While Erhinyo may represent himself pro se
in this matter, he may not represent ALLBEAMS INC. See Local Rule
2.02(b)(2), United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (Local
Rule(s)) (“A party, other than a natural person, can appear through the lawyer
only.”). Indeed, a corporation “is an artificial entity that can act only through
agents, cannot appear pro se, and must be represented by counsel.” See Palazzo
v. Gulf Oil Corp., 764 F.2d 13881, 13885 (11th Cir. 1985); SEC v. Merchant
Capital, LLC, 486 F. App'x 98, 94 n.1 (11th Cir. 2012) (“It is well established ...
that a business organization cannot appear pro se and must be represented by
counsel, not merely by a stockholder or officer.”). As such, Erhinyo is not
permitted to act on ALLBEAMS INC.’s behalf. Accordingly, it is
ORDERED:
To the extent ALLBEAMS INC. brings claims in this action, ALLBEAMS
INC. must be represented by counsel.
DONE AND ORDERED in Jacksonville, Florida this 4th day of
November, 2025.
United States District Judge
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Copies to:
Pro Se Party