[derefr]

> I sued a tow operator in small claims court and the dude who showed up was definitely an attorney.

That might be because you were suing a company, though. How would a company "represent itself"? Get the board of directors in?

[owl_troupe]

Correct -- In many jurisdictions, corporations cannot proceed pro se. They must retain counsel.

As far as a company speaking for itself, a corporate representative is often designated to speak for and bind the company in any civil action.

See, e.g., Federal Rule 30(b)(6): https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30

[true_religion]

Lots of times they just send an executive. See the Uber civil cases.