Grant v. Snowden, et al

Filing 9

ORDER Denying 3 Application for Appointment of Counsel filed by Steven Grant Signed by District Judge John Corbett O'Meara. (WBar)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

STEVEN GRANT,
Plaintiff,

Case No. 11-10151

v.

Honorable John Corbett O’Meara

MARYLIN SNOWDEN,
Defendant.
/
ORDER DENYING
PLAINTIFF’S APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
This matter came before the court on plaintiff Steven Grant's January 11, 2011 Application
for Appointment of Counsel. In his pro se complaint, Plaintiff alleges that his former employer
terminated his employment based on age and gender.
The appointment of counsel in a civil case is a privilege and not a constitutional right, one that
should be allowed only in exceptional cases. Lopez v. Reyes, 692 F.2d 15, 17 (5th Cir. 1982). The
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has advised that district courts, in considering
an application for appointment of counsel in civil cases, “should at least consider plaintiff’s financial
resources, the efforts of plaintiff to obtain counsel, and whether plaintiff’s claim appears to have any
merit.” Henry v. City of Detroit Manpower Dep’t., 763 F.2d 757, 760 (6th Cir. 1985).

In reviewing Plaintiff's application, the court finds no exceptional circumstances to allow for
the appointment of counsel. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Application for
Appointment of Counsel is DENIED.

s/John Corbett O'Meara
United States District Judge

Date: April 15, 2011

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties of record
on this date, April 15, 2011, using the ECF system and/or ordinary mail.

s/William Barkholz
Case Manager

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