Ramos v. Lopez

Filing 13

ORDER REFERRING TO PRO BONO PANEL. The Court requests that the Screening Committee expedite its consideration of this matter. Signed by Judge Ricardo S Martinez. (SWT) (cc: defendant via USPS; Pro Bono Coordinator via electronic notice)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE

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WILLIAM GILBERTO RAMOS,
Petitioner,

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v.
IRMA YOLANDA LOPEZ,

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Respondent.

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) CASE NO. C18-0180RSM
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) ORDER REFERRING MATTER TO PRO
) BONO SCREENING PANEL
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This matter comes before the Court on Respondent’s request for pro bono counsel, which

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request she made orally before the Court on May 8, 2018. Respondent states that she has

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contacted numerous attorneys about this case, but that they have declined to represent her on the

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basis that it involves the Hague Convention, with which they are unfamiliar. Respondent

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contacted the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project who is unable to represent her, but provided

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her with a list of attorneys that may be able to represent her. To date, she has been unable to find

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counsel.

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This District has adopted a plan for the representation of pro se plaintiffs in civil rights
actions. General Order 10-05. The Court believes the appointment of counsel will serve the

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interests of justice. Accordingly, the Court refers Plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel to the
Nonprisoner Civil Rights Case Screening Committee (“Screening Committee”) for review and a

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ORDER
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recommendation as to whether the Court should appoint counsel. The Clerk SHALL provide a
copy of all briefing in this matter to the Screening panel, along with the motion.
The Court requests that the Screening Committee expedite its consideration of this matter
given that an evidentiary hearing is currently scheduled for June 14, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

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DATED this 8 day of May, 2018.
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A

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RICARDO S. MARTINEZ
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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ORDER
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