Haytham v. Bueche et al

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
DIANNE HAYTHAM,
Plaintiff, 	Hon. Paul L. Maloney
v. 	Case No. 1:25-CV-1471
DAVID BUECHE, et al.,
Defendants.
_________________________________/
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
This action was initiated by Malikah Stevenson on behalf of her mother Dianne
Haytham. (ECF No. 1). Because Plaintiff has been permitted to proceed as a
pauper, the Court has reviewed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) to
determine whether it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim. Pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), the undersigned recommends that (1) Haytham obtain
representation by a licensed attorney or (2) this matter be dismissed.
Malikah Stevenson brings this action seeking redress for injuries her mother has
allegedly suffered.1 Stevenson does not identify herself as an attorney, but rather, she
purports to be acting on Haytham’s behalf pursuant to a Power of Attorney. (ECF No. 1,
PageID.11). But, because she is not a lawyer, Stevenson lacks the ability to represent
1 The complaint is filed in the name of Dianne Haytham, the party who has allegedly
suffered injury, but the complaint was not signed by Haytham. Rather, the complaint
is signed by her daughter Malikah Stevenson. (ECF No. 1, PageID.10-11).
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Haytham in this matter. See, e.g., Khatri Estate v. Dearborn Public Schools, 2025 WL
2427196 at *9 (E.D. Mich., July 31, 2025) (“[a] non-lawyer may not represent another
non-lawyer in connection with a matter pending in federal court. This is so even if such
representation is purportedly authorized by a power of attorney or other agreement”).
While the Court is not unsympathetic to Haytham’s plight, her daughter cannot
prosecute this matter on her behalf.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons articulated herein, the undersigned recommends that no later
than 30 days from the date this Report and Recommendation is adopted, a licensed
attorney appears in this matter to represent the interests of Dianne Haytham. In
the event this does not occur, the undersigned recommends that the present
complaint be dismissed without prejudice.
OBJECTIONS to this Report and Recommendation must be filed with the Clerk
of Court within fourteen days of the date of service of this notice. 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b)(1)(C). Failure to file objections within the specified time waives the right to
appeal the District Court’s order. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); United
States v. Walters, 638 F.2d 947 (6th Cir.1981).
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: November 21, 2025 	/s/ Phillip J. Green
PHILLIP J. GREEN
United States Magistrate Judge
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