Filed: Feb. 12, 2018
Latest Update: Feb. 12, 2018
Summary: ORDER AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE , Magistrate Judge . The deadline for Dade City's Wild Things, Inc. and Stearns Zoological Rescue & Rehab Center, Inc. (the "DCWT corporations") to file notices of appearance of new counsel was February 9, 2018. (Doc. 185). The DCWT corporations have known since at least January 3, 2018, 1 that they need to obtain new counsel—their third set of counsel since the DCWT corporations were served with this suit. (Doc. 173). Rather than file a notice of appearance by
Summary: ORDER AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE , Magistrate Judge . The deadline for Dade City's Wild Things, Inc. and Stearns Zoological Rescue & Rehab Center, Inc. (the "DCWT corporations") to file notices of appearance of new counsel was February 9, 2018. (Doc. 185). The DCWT corporations have known since at least January 3, 2018, 1 that they need to obtain new counsel—their third set of counsel since the DCWT corporations were served with this suit. (Doc. 173). Rather than file a notice of appearance by ..
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ORDER
AMANDA ARNOLD SANSONE, Magistrate Judge.
The deadline for Dade City's Wild Things, Inc. and Stearns Zoological Rescue & Rehab Center, Inc. (the "DCWT corporations") to file notices of appearance of new counsel was February 9, 2018. (Doc. 185). The DCWT corporations have known since at least January 3, 2018,1 that they need to obtain new counsel—their third set of counsel since the DCWT corporations were served with this suit. (Doc. 173). Rather than file a notice of appearance by the February 9th deadline, Kathryn Stearns (on behalf of Stearns Zoological Rescue & Rehab Center, Inc.) instead seeks a thirty-day extension of the deadline. (Doc. 197). In the motion, Ms. Stearns indicates that she has contacted "over 100 attorneys and met with several" and attaches correspondence from two attorneys. (Id.). Both letters are dated February 9, 2018—the deadline to obtain counsel. (Id.). One attorney's letter indicates that he will be meeting Ms. Stearns on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, after an initial discussion that occurred on February 9, 2018.
This is the third time that the DCWT corporations have sought counsel in this case, and the second time that the DCWT corporations have sought counsel after their prior counsel have moved for permission to withdraw. (Docs. 90, 173). Each time, but especially this last time, the DCWT corporations were repeatedly warned that changing counsel will not result in the extension of any deadlines or any other delay.
Important dates and deadlines are rapidly approaching. There is an evidentiary hearing scheduled in this matter on February 21, 2018 (and continuing to February 22, 2018, if necessary). (Doc. 185). In preparation for this hearing, the parties must file hearing statements by February 16, 2018.2 (Id.).
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
(1) The Motion for Enlargement of Time (Doc. 197) is GRANTED in part AND DENIED in part. The DCWT corporations are granted an extension until noon on February 14, 2018, to obtain new counsel. All scheduled hearing dates and deadlines remain in effect and will not be extended.
(2) Plaintiff People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc.'s Application for Entry of Default by the Clerk Against Corporate Defendants Dade City Wild Things, Inc. and Stearns Zoological Rescue and Rehab Center, Inc. (Doc. 196) is DENIED without prejudice to filing the motion after the February 14, 2018 deadline.
ORDERED.
