Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_12-cv-03192/USCOURTS-cand-3_12-cv-03192-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 710
Nature of Suit: Fair Labor Standards Act
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRANK AND DEBORAH MCDOWELL,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO,

Defendants.

 /

No. C 12-03192 JSW

ORDER TAKING FIFTH MOTION

FOR APPOINTMENT OF

COUNSEL UNDER ADVISEMENT

AND CONTINUING CASE

MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

(Docket No. 33)

On December 21, 2012, Plaintiffs filed a fifth motion for appointment of counsel. 

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1), a court may appoint counsel for a plaintiff “in such

circumstances as the court may deem just.” There are three relevant factors to consider in

determining “whether to appoint counsel: (1) the plaintiff’s financial resources; (2) the efforts

made by the plaintiff to secure counsel on his or her own; and (3) the merit of the plaintiff’s

claim.” Johnson v. United States Treasury Department, 27 F.3d 415, 416-17 (9th Cir. 1994). 

Ultimately, the decision on whether to appoint counsel is a matter left to the Court’s discretion. 

Id. at 416.

In their most recent motion, Plaintiffs attest that they have consulted five attorneys as

well as the “the Bar Association Golden [G]ate Legal Help Center,” and that the attorneys

declined to represent them in this matter. Plaintiffs have established the first and second

requirements for appointment of counsel. Plaintiffs have recently filed their First Amended

Complaint, and the time for Defendants to respond has not yet expired. At this stage, the Court

still cannot evaluate whether Plaintiffs’ claims have merit. Accordingly, the Court takes the

Case 3:12-cv-03192-JSW Document 35 Filed 01/04/13 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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motion under advisement, and it shall resolve the motion pending further developments in this

case.

It is FURTHER ORDERED that the case management conference scheduled for January

11, 2013, is HEREBY CONTINUED to March 8, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. The parties’ case

management conference statement shall be due by no later than March 1, 2013.

The Court AGAIN ADVISES Plaintiffs that the Handbook for Pro Se Litigants, which

contains helpful information about proceeding without an attorney, is available through the

Court’s website or in the Clerk’s office. The Court also advises Plaintiffs that they also may

wish to seek assistance from the Legal Help Center. Plaintiffs may call the Legal Help Center

at 415-782-9000, extension 8657, or sign up on the 15th Floor of the Courthouse, Room 2796,

for a free appointment with an attorney who may be able to provide basic legal help, but not

legal representation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 4, 2013 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:12-cv-03192-JSW Document 35 Filed 01/04/13 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRANK AND DEBORAH MCDOWELL

et al,

Plaintiff,

 v.

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN

FRANCISCO et al,

Defendant. /

Case Number: CV12-03192 JSW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S.

District Court, Northern District of California.

That on January 4, 2013, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing

said copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by

depositing said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office

delivery receptacle located in the Clerk's office.

Deborah McDowell

Frank McDowell

2800 Bellwort Court

Antioch, CA 94531

Dated: January 4, 2013

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Jennifer Ottolini, Deputy Clerk

Case 3:12-cv-03192-JSW Document 35 Filed 01/04/13 Page 3 of 3