Legal Question in Business Law in Ohio
Representation Issue
I am a ''c'' corporation. We are a defendant in a case brought by Ohio. We do not have the funds to retain an attorney. This is a 1 shareholder company. In Ohio courts can we petition for a court appointment of an attorney? It certainly will be a miscarriage of justice if we never are allowed to enter the court. Is this a constitutional issue?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Representation Issue
To the best of my knowledge, Ohio does not provide for the appointment of counsel in any cases not criminal with the possibility of jail time or where parents may lose custody of their children. For the most part, Ohio also does not allow for corporations to represent themselves due to unauthorized practice of law concerns. If there is truly only 1 shareholder, it might be possible for a judge to allow the sole shareholder to represent the corporation on the grounds that the corporation is essentially the individual and therefore the liability of the corporation also falls upon the sole shareholder - the shareholder would be representing him or herself.
Most likely though, you will probably have to find an attorney in order to defend yourself. He or she may be willing to work with you in order to allow you pay over time, with stock, or by some other arrangement.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.
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