JUDITH WIZMUR, Bankruptcy Judge
I am in receipt of your motion papers returnable March 17, 2008, seeking to withdraw moneys from the bankruptcy court registry on behalf of Citibank. For the reasons expressed below, I must deny your request.
You have submitted the motion to withdraw funds from the court registry without an attorney of record. A corporation may not practice law in the state of New Jersey. Under New Jersey law, a corporation is prohibited from practicing law and is not permitted to appear before a court to pursue its own motion. See Elizabeth Teachers Union, AFT Local 733 v. Elizabeth Bd. of Educ., Civ. A. No. 90-3343, 1990 WL 174654, *5 (D.N.J. Nov. 8, 1990) ("Corporations may not practice law in New Jersey."). A corporation can only appear before the court on a motion where it is represented by appropriately licensed legal counsel. Id. The Advisory Committee notes confirm that Rule 9010 does not "change prior holdings prohibiting a corporation from appearing pro se." Adv. Comm. Note (1983). See In re Dunklin, No. 04-41631, 2006 WL 2806234 (Bankr. D.N.J. Sept. 27, 2006) (Rule 9010 draws a distinction between administrative and legal functions).
In Dunklin, Judge Steckroth concluded that the filing of a proof of claim for a creditor was an administrative function that did not constitute the unauthorized practice of law. 2006 WL 2806234 at *5. Here, we have a formal motion before the court, in reliance upon a federal statute, seeking to withdraw moneys from the court registry. This action involves more than the mere administrative filing of a claim; it constitutes the practice of law. See Unalachtigo Band of Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape Nation v. New Jersey, No. 05-5710, 2007 WL 4547501, *3-4 (D.N.J. Dec. 17, 2007) (filing motion papers constitutes the practice of law). As a result, a corporation cannot proceed on its own motion without appropriate licensed legal counsel.
For this reason, an order denying your motion to withdraw funds from the court registry will be entered without prejudice to a renewal of the motion by a New Jersey attorney. Form order — ntcorder UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT District of New Jersey MLK Jr Federal Building 50 Walnut Street Newark, NJ 07102 Case No.: 02-37664-DHS Chapter: 13 Judge: Donald H. Steckroth In Re: Debtor(s) (name(s) used by the debtor(s) in the last 8 years, including married, maiden, trade, and address): Marilyn Caraballo 239A Mount Prospect Avenue Newark, NJ 07104-0000 Social Security No.: xxx-xx-0957 Employer's Tax I.D. No.:
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT OR ORDER Pursuant to Fed.R.Bankr.P. 9022
Please be advised that on May 5, 2008, the court entered the following judgment or order on the court's docket in the above-captioned case:
Document Number: 35 — 34
Letter Opinion (related document:[34] Motion for Payment of Unclaimed Funds in the Amount $6,168.77 filed by Interested Party CitiBank, N.A.). The following parties were served: Debtor, Debtor's Attorney, Trustee, US Trustee and Movant's Attorney. Signed on 5/5/2008. (eag)
Parties may review the order by accessing it through PACER or the court's electronic case filing system (CM/ECF). Public terminals for viewing are also available at the courthouse in each vicinage. Dated: May 5, 2008 JJW: eag James J. Waldron Clerk