Austin v. City of Chicago

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM Order; Plaintiff's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis 16 granted. Plaintiff's motion for attorney assistance 17 is granted. This Court requests Patricia Costello Slovak of Schiff Hardin, LLP, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 6600, Chicago, IL 60606, Phone No. 312-258-5500, Email: [e-mail]., to represent plaintiff Kevin Austin. Signed by the Honorable Milton I. Shadur on 6/16/2015:Mailed notice(clw, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION

KEVIN AUSTIN,
Plaintiff,
v.
CITY OF CHICAGO,
a Municipal Corporation,
Defendant.

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Case No. 14 C 9823

MEMORANDUM ORDER
This employment discrimination action by Kevin Austin ("Austin") against the City of
Chicago (the "City") was initiated on Austin's behalf by his then-retained counsel Barry
Gomberg ("Gomberg"). But after living 1/2 year with the case, Gomberg filed a May 29, 2015
motion to withdraw as Austin's counsel, asserting this in his motion [Dkt. 13]:
There has been a break down in the attorney-client relationship between Plaintiff
and his counsel, in part, regarding communication and case strategy.
This Court granted Gomberg's motion when it was presented -- and Austin, who participated
telephonically when Gomberg tendered that motion, then stated that he anticipated seeking the
appointment of a replacement for Gomberg.
Austin has now tendered a Motion for Attorney Assistance ("Motion"), supported by an
In Forma Pauperis Application ("Application"), both employing forms supplied by the Clerk's
Office for use by pro se litigants. This Court has reviewed those submissions and has

determined that Austin qualifies for in forma pauperis status. It therefore grants Austin's Motion
and has obtained the name of this member of the District Court trial bar to represent him: 1
Patricia Costello Slovak
Schiff Hardin, LLP
233 South Wacker Drive
Suite 6600
Chicago, IL 60606
312-258-5500
Email: [e-mail].
This Court has made no judgment as to the breach in relationship that occurred as
between Austin and Gomberg that led to the latter's withdrawal as counsel -- it does not inquire
into such situations, both because of its respect for the attorney-client privilege and because it
regards such breaches as the law-based equivalent of no-fault divorce. It should however be
made clear to Austin that if the situation were to repeat itself, there would be no assurance of a
further appointment.

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Milton I. Shadur
Senior United States District Judge
Date: June 16, 2015

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Attorney Slovak is advised that the next scheduled status hearing date is 9 a.m. July 10,
2015.
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