Ash v. Zuber

Filing 24

ORDER denying 23 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by Hon. H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. on May 18, 2009. (APG)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

TARRENCE KONARD ASH, Plaintiff, v. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHAEL ZUBER, Defendant. 08-CV-00056(Sr)

DECISION AND ORDER Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the parties have consented to have the undersigned conduct any and all further proceedings in this case, including entry of final judgment. Dkt. #20. Currently before the Court is plaintiff's application for appointment of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). Dkt. #23.

There is no constitutional right to appointed counsel in civil cases. However, under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e), the Court may appoint counsel to assist indigent litigants. See, e.g., Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Charles W. Sears Real Estate, Inc., 865 F.2d 22, 23 (2d Cir. 1988). Assignment of counsel in this matter is clearly within the judge's discretion. In re Martin-Trigona, 737 F.2d 1254 (2d Cir. 1984). The factors to be considered in deciding whether or not to assign counsel include the following: 1. 2. W hether the indigent's claims seem likely to be of substance; W hether the indigent is able to investigate the crucial facts concerning his claim; W hether conflicting evidence implicating the need for cross-

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examination will be the major proof presented to the fact finder; 4. 5. W hether the legal issues involved are complex; and W hether there are any special reasons why appointment of counsel would be more likely to lead to a just determination.

Hendricks v. Coughlin, 114 F.3d 390, 392 (2d Cir. 1997); see also Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58 (2d Cir. 1986).

The Court must consider the issue of appointment carefully, of course, because "every assignment of a volunteer lawyer to an undeserving client deprives society of a volunteer lawyer available for a deserving cause." Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co. Inc., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989). Therefore, the Court must first look to the "likelihood of merit" of the underlying dispute, Hendricks, 114 F.3d at 392; Cooper, 877 F.2d at 174, and "even though a claim may not be characterized as frivolous, counsel should not be appointed in a case where the merits of the . . . claim are thin and his chances of prevailing are therefore poor." Carmona v. United States Bureau of Prisons, 243 F.3d 629, 632 (2d Cir. 2001) (denying counsel on appeal where petitioner's appeal was not frivolous but nevertheless appeared to have little merit).

The Court has reviewed the facts presented herein in light of the factors required by law. Plaintiff alleges that while housed at the Rochester Psychiatric Center, defendant Executive Director Michael Zuber, "approved of my admission status and allowed - knowingly - his staff to administer psychotropic [sic] medications to plaintiff

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against plaintiff's due process. Which led to plaintiff being (violated by parole) for 16 more months after 16 years and 4 months of incarceration." Dkt. #1. In support of his request for appointment of counsel, plaintiff claims that "it is a hardship to use the Auburn Correctional Facility `law library' and come July 24th, 2009, when plaintiff is sent back to the Rochester Psychiatric Center, he will not have access to ANY law library to litigate." Dkt. #23. Accordingly, plaintiff is requesting the appointment of counsel in the "interest of justice." Id. The Court notes that a Preliminary Pretrial Conference was held on February 17, 2009, wherein a Case Management Order was put in place. Dkt. #19. Thereafter, a Settlement Conference was held by telephone on May 12, 2009. Dkt. #21. Following the Settlement Conference, the Court established certain dates whereby certain discovery related matters, including the production of plaintiff's medical records, were to be completed. Dkt. #22.

A review of the instant motion reveals that plaintiff has not established that the appointment of counsel is warranted at this time under the factors set forth above. Notably, plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel fails to set forth any reason why plaintiff is unable to represent himself in connection with this matter. Indeed, a review of plaintiff's complaint reveals that plaintiff has more than capably articulated his legal theories to the Court. Moreover, there is nothing in the record before this Court to allow this Court to conclude that the factual and legal issues presented in this matter are complex and that plaintiff is unable to represent himself. In fact, plaintiff's testimony concerning the alleged incident and the extent of his injuries will be the best evidence of his damages. -3-

Accordingly, plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel (Dkt. #23), is denied without prejudice at this time. It is the plaintiff's responsibility to retain an attorney or press forward with this lawsuit pro se. 28 U.S.C. § 1654.

SO ORDERED. DATED: Buffalo, New York May 18, 2009

s/ H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. H. KENNETH SCHROEDER, JR. United States Magistrate Judge

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