Jordan v. Nassar et al

Filing 18

ORDER that pltf's request for counsel contained in her 10 Response to the Order denying her motion for appointment of counsel is hereby DENIED. Signed by Magistrate Judge H. David Young on 7/13/10. (vjt)

Jordan v. Nassar et al

Doc. 18

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS EASTERN DIVISION

MAE ELLA JORDAN

PLAINTIFF

v.

NO. 2:10CV00065 BSM/HDY

HUGHES SCHOOL DISTRICT, and RAY NASSAR, Superintendent of the Hughes School District

DEFENDANTS

ORDER

Plaintiff Mae Ella Jordan ("Jordan") commenced the proceeding at bar by filing a pro se complaint pursuant to Title VII. She joined the complaint with a motion for appointment of counsel. After reviewing the record in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Slaughter v. City of Maplewood, 731 F.2d 587 (8th Cir. 1984), the Court denied her motion. The Court noted, however, that in the event she filed a second motion for appointment of counsel, she should be prepared to demonstrate that she attempted to retain an attorney to represent her in this proceeding. The Court noted that Jordan could so demonstrate by submitting letters from at least three different attorneys she attempted, but failed, to retain. -1-

Dockets.Justia.com

Jordan has now filed a document that the Clerk of the Court has construed as a response to the order denying Jordan's motion for appointment of counsel. See

Document 10.1 In the response, she maintained that she attempted to retain three different attorneys but each attorney refused to represent her. She supported the response with letters from two of the three attorneys. The Court has again reviewed the record in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Slaughter v. City of Maplewood, supra.2 With regard to the condition of Jordan's financial resources, the Court has very little insight into that question. It is true, though, that she was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in this proceeding. With regard to Jordan's efforts to secure counsel, she has indeed attempted to retain an attorney to represent her in this proceeding. Her attempts, though, have been unsuccessful. With regard to the merits of Jordan's claims, the only pleadings germane to that question are her pro se complaint, the attachments accompanying her complaints, and an answer from defendants Hughes School District and Ray Nassar. Those documents establish very little. It is therefore extremely difficult, if not virtually impossible, at this stage of the proceeding to determine whether her claims have merit.
1

United States District Judge Brian S. Miller referred the submission for disposition.
2

"Three factors are generally considered relevant in evaluating applications for appointment of counsel in Title VII cases: (1) the plaintiff's financial resources, (2) the plaintiff's efforts to secure counsel, and (3) the merits of the discrimination claim." See Id. at 590.

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With respect to other matters, the factual and legal complexity of this proceeding does not appear to be great. In addition, Jordan is not incarcerated and thus has the ability to investigate the facts. Last, the Court knows of no reason why she cannot present her claims in an orderly fashion. On the basis of the foregoing, the Court is not persuaded at this time that counsel should be appointed to represent Jordan in this proceeding. Her request for counsel contained in her response to the order denying her motion for appointment of counsel is denied. See Document 10.3 IT IS SO ORDERED this 13 day of July, 2010.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

3

The denial of her request for counsel does not necessarily preclude any further consideration of her request. If she chooses to file another motion for counsel, she should be prepared to offer something that would assist the Court in determining whether her claims have merit. The Court is also alert to the possibility that, because of procedural complexities or other reasons, later developments in the case may justify appointing an attorney. See Williams v. Carter, 10 F.3d 563 (8th Cir. 1993).

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