Moore v. Gonzalez et al

Filing 84

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Allison Claire on 9/30/13 ORDERING that plaintiff's Request for the Appointment of Counsel 79 is Denied. (Becknal, R)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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MERRICK MOORE,

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Plaintiff,

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No. 2:11-cv-3273 AC P

v.

ORDER

L. GONZALEZ, et al.,

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Defendants.

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Plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme Court has

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ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 1983

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cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In certain exceptional

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circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

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1915(e)(1). Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900

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F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). In the present case, the court does not find the required

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exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff pro se has demonstrated an adequate grasp of the issues and

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has exhibited enough knowledge of his case such that appointment of counsel is not warranted.1

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Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

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Plaintiff names a particular individual he wishes to proceed as his counsel. If plaintiff seeks to
retain Brandon H. Story as his counsel, a notice of substitution in accordance with L.R. 182(g)
may be filed.
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the appointment of

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counsel (ECF No. 79) is denied.

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DATED: September 30, 2013

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AC:009/md
moor3273.31

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