GZ Gourmet Food & Beverages v. Radioactive Energy of Ill., No. 07 C 7110, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Aug. 31, 2010) (Dow, J.).

Judge Dow granted plaintiff’s counsel’s motion to withdraw contingent upon counsel serving plaintiff with the Order by certified mail. Plaintiff had not responded to counsel in several months and was several months overdue in responding to discovery requests. The Court denied defendant’s motion for sanctions based upon that delay. Instead, the Court offered plaintiff one additional opportunity to hire substitute counsel and begin prosecuting its case. The Court warned that corporate entities cannot appear pro se in federal court. The Court also warned that failure to retain counsel and appear at the next status could result in sanctions up to dismissal of plaintiff’s case.