Lewis v. Holladay et al

Filing 33

ORDER relieving Matthew Stephen Modelevsky as counsel of record for pltf; denying pltf's 32 MOTION to Appoint Counsel; the Clerk is directed to send pltf a copy of this Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge H. David Young on 9/12/12. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
LITTLE ROCK DIVISION
DANNY LEWIS
V.

PLAINTIFF
NO: 4:12CV00208 JMM/HDY

DOC HOLLADAY et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

Plaintiff filed this complaint on April 5, 2012. On July 10, 2012, Plaintiff was appointed
counsel for the limited purpose of obtaining service on Defendant Barbara Hamilton. Hamilton has
now been served, and has filed an answer (docket entry #31). Accordingly, attorney Matthew
Stephen Modelevsky will be relieved as counsel for Plaintiff.
Plaintiff has now moved for appointment of counsel (docket entry #32). It is well settled that
a pro se litigant has no statutory or constitutional right to have counsel appointed in a civil case.
Stevens v. Redwing, 146 F.3d 538, 546 (8th Cir. 1998). However, the Court may, in its discretion,
appoint counsel for a pro se prisoner if it is convinced that he has stated a non-frivolous claim and
that the nature of the litigation is such that the plaintiff, as well as the Court, will benefit from the
assistance of counsel. Johnson v. Williams, 788 F.2d 1319, 1322 (8th Cir. 1986). In making this
determination, the Court must weigh and consider the following factors: (1) the factual and legal
complexity of the case; (2) the plaintiff's ability to investigate the facts; (3) the presence or absence
of conflicting testimony; and (4) the plaintiff's ability to present his claims. Id. at 1322-23. These
factors are not an exclusive checklist, and the “weight to be given any one factor will vary with the
case.” Id. at 1323; see also Stevens, 146 F.3d at 546; Davis v. Scott, 94 F.3d 444, 447 (8th Cir.
1996).

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Plaintiff’s claims are not legally or factually complex. Furthermore, it appears from the
record that Plaintiff is capable of presenting his claims without the benefit of appointed counsel.
Thus, the Court concludes that the pertinent factors do not weigh in favor of appointment of counsel
at this time.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT:
1.

Attorney Matthew Stephen Modelevsky is relieved as counsel of record for Plaintiff,

with the Court’s gratitude for his service.
2.

Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel (docket entry #32) is DENIED.

3.

The Clerk is directed to send a copy of this order to Plaintiff at his address of record

(docket entry #25).
DATED this 12

day of September, 2012.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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