ZYL Law Firm reviews Schedule A lawsuits and TRO asset freezes for cross-border marketplace sellers. For a flat $800, we pull the federal court docket, review the plaintiff's registrations and allegations, the amount restrained, and how your store was joined, and deliver a written options memo within 48 hours. Settlement negotiation is from $1,500 per store; contested motions and defense are quoted in writing by stage. Federal court matters are handled by counsel admitted to the relevant court, with local counsel where required. No outcome, release date, or settlement amount can be guaranteed.
Reviewed by Yaling Zhou, Attorney (CT, NY) · Rules reviewed:
What a Schedule A case usually looks like
- One complaint, many defendants.The defendants are listed by store name in a sealed "Schedule A" attached to the complaint, often in the Northern District of Illinois.
- A TRO before notice.The plaintiff asks for a temporary restraining order under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 that freezes marketplace balances and may take down listings.
- Service by email.Courts often authorize service through the email address on file with the marketplace. The answer deadline typically runs from that service.
- A preliminary injunction follows.The TRO is short-lived; the plaintiff then seeks a preliminary injunction that keeps the freeze in place while the case proceeds.
An Amazon account hold is not a court freeze
Amazon may withhold funds during its own account review; that follows Amazon's procedures and is appealed through Seller Central. A TRO in a Schedule A case is a federal court order. Amazon cannot lift it on appeal — it changes only through the court or by agreement with the plaintiff.
Realistic options
Do not do these while the case is open
- Do not ignore the email.A missed answer deadline can lead to a default judgment and transfer of the frozen funds.
- Do not pay the plaintiff informally.Pay only under a signed settlement agreement that provides for dismissal and release of funds.
- Do not move money or open new stores.Attempts to evade the order can be treated as contempt and hurt any later negotiation.
- Do not delete records.Sales data and product records may be needed for the defense or to calculate a fair settlement.
How the 48-hour review works
- Send what you haveCase number or plaintiff name, the email you received, your store name, and the frozen amount shown by the marketplace.
- Conflict check and docketWe clear conflicts against the plaintiff, then pull the complaint, Schedule A, TRO, and the plaintiff's registrations.
- Options memoWithin 48 hours: the claims against your store, the deadlines, the strength of each option, and a fixed quote for the next stage.
- Next stageSettlement negotiation, a freeze or joinder challenge, or defense through court-admitted counsel.
Fees
| Service | Professional fee | Includes | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule A / TRO emergency case review | $800 | Court docket pulled; plaintiff rights and allegations, frozen amount, and joinder reviewed; options memo within 48 hours. | Later settlement or defense stages |
| Schedule A settlement negotiation | From $1,500 per store | Negotiation with plaintiff counsel, settlement agreement review, release-of-funds follow-up. | Contested motions and defense (staged written quote) |
Court filing fees and local counsel fees, where required, are separate and are disclosed in the written quote.
Frequently asked questions
My Amazon funds are frozen by a court order. Can Amazon release them?
Not on appeal. A TRO or preliminary injunction is a federal court order. The freeze changes only through the court or by agreement with the plaintiff, usually as part of a settlement or dismissal.
Do I have to settle immediately?
Not necessarily. In suitable cases the amount restrained, the joinder of defendants, and jurisdiction can be contested. Review the docket before deciding whether to settle or defend.
What happens if I do nothing?
The plaintiff will usually seek a default judgment against non-responding defendants and ask the court to transfer the frozen funds.
Who represents me in court?
Federal court matters are handled by counsel admitted to the relevant court, with local counsel where required. You receive the names and the fee for each stage in writing before engaging.
How is a settlement priced?
Plaintiffs often set amounts by store and by sales of the accused product. Our negotiation fee is from $1,500 per store. The settlement payment itself goes to the plaintiff and is separate.
Can you guarantee my funds will be released?
No. Release depends on the court and the plaintiff. We commit to a fast, candid assessment and a defined scope for each stage.
Primary sources
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 (injunctions and TROs)
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20 (joinder of parties)
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12 (time to respond)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- PACER: federal court records
Platform rules, deposits, and fees change; confirm against your notice and the current platform rules before acting.
Send your Schedule A case details now
Email the case number or plaintiff name, the court email you received, your store name, and the frozen amount to ip@zyllaw.com. We confirm the conflict check and the review engagement before any work begins.
Start intake Email ip@zyllaw.com