Ford et al v. Gusman

Filing 14

ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED at this time. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Wilkinson, Jr. (car, )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
HENDERSON FORD

CIVIL ACTION

VERSUS

NO. 11-2950

MARLIN GUSMAN

SECTION “C” (2)
ORDER

Plaintiff's complaint contains a request that counsel be appointed to represent him in
this case. Record Doc. No. 1 at p. 16. "A district court should appoint counsel in a civil
rights case only if presented with exceptional circumstances." Norton v. E.U. Dimazana, 122
F.3d 286, 293 (5th Cir. 1997). Having also considered the factors suggested in Ulmer v.
Chancellor, 691 F.2d 209 (5th Cir. 1982), IT IS ORDERED that plaintiff's motion for
appointment of counsel is DENIED at this time. It appears at this early stage of pleading that
the case is not complex and the plaintiff is capable of adequately presenting it. As a direct
participant in the events that allegedly formed the basis of his complaint, he has been in a
position adequate to investigate the case. It appears that the evidence that may be presented
is simple and will require no particular skill in its presentation. If circumstances change as
the case is developed, appointment of counsel may be reconsidered, but it is unwarranted at
this time.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this

10th

day of February, 2012.

JOSEPH C. WILKINSON, JR.
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE