Shayla Robinson v. GFB Restaurants, LLC; Hemingways Hospitality, LLC; Louis...

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

SHAYLA ROBINSON, Plaintiff, v. Case No. 8:25-cv-2556-KKM-AAS GFB RESTAURANTS, LLC, HEMINGWAYS HOSPITALITY, LLC, LOUIS GOETZ; BRUNILDA KHOKA; FLORENCA XHOKA; and GERTI XHOKA Defendants. ____________________________________ ORDER On January 6, 2026, this Court gave parties an extension to submit a Case Management Report no later than January 13, 2026, Doc. 27. On January 14, 2026, the parties submitted a Case Management Report, Doc. 31. The Report states that “[t]he parties conducted the planning conference” in which pro se Defendant Louise Goetz attended “on behalf of herself and Hemingways Hospitality, LLC.” Id. at 1. A pro se party cannot legally act on behalf of another defendant. See Palazzo v. Gulf Oil Corp., 764 F.2d 1381, 1385 (11th Cir. 1985) (“The rule is well established that a corporation is an artificial entity that can act only through agents, cannot appear pro se, and must be represented by counsel... The general rule applies even where the person seeking to represent the corporation is its president and major stockholder.”).

Accordingly, the following is ORDERED: 1. The Clerk shall STRIKE the (Doc. 31) Report from the Record.

2. To proceed in this action, Defendant Hemingways Hospitality, LLC, must secure counsel. Failure to do so will permit Plaintiff Robinson to move for default.

3. The parties shall file an amended Case Management Report no later than February 6, 2026.

4. The Court reminds Lead Counsel of its duties when interacting with unrepresented parties.

ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on January 16, 2026.

athryn’ Kimball Mizelle United States District Judge