Jackie Menyweather v. Joan Anthony

Order entered August 8, 2018

In The

Court of Appeals

Fifth District of Texas at Dallas

No. 05-18-00297-CV

JACKIE MENYWEATHER, Appellant

V.

JOAN ANTHONY, Appellee

On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 2 Kaufman County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. 18C-001-2

ORDER

Appellee’s brief is signed by Sharon Gary as power of attorney for appellee. A power of attorney authorizes an individual to transact business for another; it does not authorize a person to act as a licensed attorney, representing individuals in proceedings in court. See Harkins v. Murphy & Bolanz, 112 S.W. 136, 138 (Tex. Civ. App.—Dallas 1908, writ dism’d); BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 1013 (9th ed.). In Texas, an individual may represent another in state court only if licensed as an attorney in Texas or authorized under rules promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 81.012 (West 2013); Paselk v. Rabun, 293 S.W.3d 600, 606 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009, pet. denied) (“layperson does not have right to represent others”). Gary is neither licensed in Texas nor authorized under court rules. Accordingly, we STRIKE appellee’s brief. Appellee may file any brief pro se or through counsel no later than September 17, 2018.

/s/ DAVID EVANS JUSTICE