“One power that a natural person enjoys but that a corporation does not is the right of self-representation in court. With the sole exception of small claims court, a corporation cannot act in propria persona in state courts but must act through licensed attorneys. The rule requiring corporations to be represented by counsel in proceedings before courts of record does not extend to proceedings before administrative agencies and tribunals. [Caressa Camille, Inc. v. Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Bd., 99 Cal. App. 4th 1094, 121, 121 Cal. Rptr. 2d 758 (4th Dist. 2002), review denied, (Sept. 18, 2002) (corporate owner of a bar was represented at an administrative hearing revoking plaintiff’s liquor license, by the nonattorney president of the corporation)] In small claims court, a corporation may appear only through a regular employee or a duly appointed or elected officer or director, who is employed, appointed or elected for purposes other than solely representing the corporation in small claims court. [Code Civ. Proc., § 116.540, subd. (b); see also Code Civ. Proc. § 116.530, subd. (b) (exception on limitation of appearances by attorneys in small claims court actions involving attorney officer or director of professional law corporation)]”
[California Civil Practice Business Litigation [certain citations omitted]]
