Brown v. East Arkansas Community College

Filing 9

AMENDED 7 ORDER denying at this time pltf's 3 MOTION for Appointment of Counsel. Signed by Chief Judge J. Leon Holmes on 9/21/11. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
BERNICE L. BROWN
v.

PLAINTIFF
NO. 2:11CV00157 JLH

EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEFENDANT

AMENDED ORDER
Bernice L. Brown has filed a motion for appointment of counsel in which she states that she
lacks the resources to obtain counsel and recites that she has contacted three different lawyers but
has been unable to engage one to represent her in this matter. The Court has found that she is
indigent and is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis, so she meets the financial requirements for
appointment of counsel. Before appointing a lawyer to represent an indigent plaintiff, however, the
Court is required to inquire as to whether the plaintiff has alleged a prima facie claim in the
pleadings that, if proven, would result in some form of relief for her. Nelson v. Redfield Lithograph
Printing, 728 F.2d 1003, 1005 (8th Cir. 1984). At this point, it is not apparent that Brown has
alleged a prima facie claim in the pleading that, if proven, would result in some form of relief for
her. She brings this action under Title VII and apparently alleges that she was fired as a result of her
race, color, and sex, but the facts that she recites include nothing from which the Court could
conclude that she was fired because of her race, color, or sex. The Court will not, however, dismiss
the complaint at this stage. The Court will order that the complaint be served and see what response
comes from the defendant before determining whether there is sufficient merit to this case to justify
appointment of counsel. For these reasons, the motion for appointment of counsel is denied at this
time. Document #3.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 21st day of September, 2011.

J. LEON HOLMES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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