law-corporation-cannot-appear-pro-se
CORPORATION CANNOT APPEAR IN COURT WITHOUT LAWYER
See Global Leasing, Inc. v. Engine Supply & Mach. Serv., 437 S.W.2d 43, 45 (Tex. Civ. App.- Houston
[1st Dist.] 1969, no writ) (stating that notice of appeal filed by president of corporation who is not
licensed attorney "would [be] ineffective").
09‑0163 ELYON LIGHT MINISTRY v. DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLP; from Tarrant
County; 2nd district (02-08-00421-CV, ___ SW3d ___, 01-29-09)(Justice O'Neill not sitting)
Appellant Elyon Light Ministry seeks to appeal a judgment from Probate Court No. 2, Tarrant County,
Texas. We dismiss for want of jurisdiction.
Rule 25.1(b) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure requires that a party file a notice of appeal to
invoke this court's jurisdiction.[2] Rule 7 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provides that A[a]ny
party to a suit may appear and prosecute or defend his rights therein, either in person or by an
attorney of the court."[3] And Rule 28 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure authorizes an
unincorporated association, such as Elyon Light Ministry, to sue and be sued in its own name.[4]
However, persons "not licensed to practice law [in the State of Texas] may not represent or defend
the rights of [others]."[5]
On October 29, 2008, Terry Self[6] filed a "Petition for Appeal and to Set Aside Final Judgment" with
the probate court. This court treated this pleading as a notice of appeal. On December 15, 2008,
this court sent notice to Self informing him that persons not licensed to practice law may not represent
others and that Elyon Light Ministry had until December 29, 2008, to file an amended notice of appeal
that complies with Texas law.