Goodwin, Mecquon v. Greer, James et al

Filing 74

ORDER that the clerk of court is directed to schedule a telephone conference before Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker. Signed by District Judge James D. Peterson on 3/6/2018. (jef),(ps)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

MECQUON GOODWIN,
Plaintiff,
v.

ORDER

KENNETH ADLER, SUSAN NYGREN,
ENRIQUE LUY, WILLIAM KELLEY,
BARBARA BEHRAND, and TIMOTHY CORRELL,

16-cv-96-jdp

Defendants.
Plaintiff Mecquon Goodwin, a Wisconsin prisoner now incarcerated at the Sturtevant
Transitional Facility, is proceeding on Eighth Amendment deliberate indifference claims.
Goodwin alleges that defendants failed to treat Goodwin’s MSSA (methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus) infection and MSSA septicemia despite his persistent complaints. I
have denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment, granted Goodwin’s motion for
assistance in recruiting counsel, and stayed the proceedings. Dkt. 71.
Attorney Stephen Howe of the law firm Merchant & Gould P.C., has agreed to
represent Goodwin, with the understanding that he will serve as counsel with no guarantee of
compensation. I have granted Goodwin’s motion for assistance in recruiting counsel only as to
the proceedings before this court.1
Goodwin now has counsel, so he may not communicate directly with the court from
this point forward. He must work directly with his counsel and must allow him to exercise

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Proceedings before this court include all matters leading up to a final judgment on the merits,
and if appropriate, the filing of a notice of appeal and the transfer of the record to the Seventh
Circuit.

professional judgment. Goodwin may not require counsel to raise frivolous arguments or to
require him to follow his every directive. He should be prepared to accept the strategic decisions
of his counsel even if he disagrees with them. If Goodwin decides to end the counsel’s
representation, he is free to do so, but it is unlikely that the court will assist him in recruiting
counsel again.
I will direct the clerk of court to set a scheduling conference before Magistrate Judge
Stephen Crocker. I note that Goodwin had no opportunity to obtain a medical expert and that
ensuring a fair opportunity for Goodwin to litigate this case may warrant additional discovery.

ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that the clerk of court is directed to schedule a telephone conference
before Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker.
Entered March 6, 2018.
BY THE COURT:
/s/
________________________________________
JAMES D. PETERSON
District Judge

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