Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_15-cv-00808/USCOURTS-cand-4_15-cv-00808-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Civil Rights

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROBERT DERWIN AVERY,

Plaintiff,

vs.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY,

Defendant.

Case No.: 15-cv-0808 YGR

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

Re: Dkt. No. 7

The Court has reviewed plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel. (Dkt. No. 7.) Plaintiff 

seeks the appointment of counsel due to his lack of legal experience, inability to investigate facts, and 

lack of financial resources. (Dkt No. 7-2.) 

In contrast to criminal proceedings, there generally is no constitutional right to counsel in civil 

actions. United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 801 (9th Cir. 1986) (“There is normally 

... no constitutional right to counsel in a civil case.”). In proceedings in forma pauperis, the Court 

has the statutory power only to “request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.” 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). This decision of whether to request counsel is within the discretion of the 

district court and is “granted only in exceptional circumstances.” See Agyeman v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 

390 F.3d 1101, 1103 (9th Cir. 2004) (quoting Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1236 (9th Cir. 

1984)). Deciding whether “exceptional circumstances” exist requires an evaluation of the likelihood 

of plaintiff’s success on the merits as well as the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his or her claims 

pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues. Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th 

Cir. 1986) (citing Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983)). 

Here, plaintiff has not demonstrated that exceptional circumstances exist at this stage of the 

litigation. Plaintiff has been able thus far to articulate his claims adequately pro se in light of the 

complexity of the issues involved. See Agyeman, 390 F.3d at 1103. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion 

Case 4:15-cv-00808-YGR Document 20 Filed 07/22/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

for appointment of counsel is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. The Court notes that if the 

circumstances of this case materially change, this decision will be reconsidered by the Court on its 

own motion. If the Court decides that appointment of counsel is later warranted, it will seek volunteer 

counsel to agree to represent plaintiff pro bono. In light of this Order, plaintiff shall have until 

August 18, 2015 to file his opposition to defendant’s motion to dismiss. Defendant shall file a reply 

in support of its motion no later than August 25, 2015. The hearing previously noticed for September 

1, 2015 is hereby reset for September 8, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Oakland Courthouse, 1201 Clay 

Street, in Courtroom 1. 

The Court advises plaintiff that a Handbook for Pro Se Litigants, which contains helpful 

information about proceeding without an attorney, is available in the Clerk’s office or through the 

Court’s website, http://cand.uscourts.gov. The Court also advises plaintiff that additional assistance 

may be available by making an appointment with the Legal Help Center. There is no fee for this 

service. Please visit the Court’s website or call the phone numbers listed below for current office 

hours, forms and policies. 

To make an appointment with the Legal Help Center in Oakland, plaintiff may visit the 

Oakland Courthouse, located 1301 Clay Street, Room 470S, Oakland, or call 415/782-8982. 

To make an appointment with the Legal Help Center in San Francisco, plaintiff may visit the 

San Francisco Courthouse, located at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 15th Floor, Room 2796, San 

Francisco, California, 94102, or call 415/782-8982. 

To make an appointment with the Federal Legal Assistance Self-Help Center in San Jose, 

plaintiff may visit the San Jose Federal Courthouse, located at 280 South 1st Street, 4th Floor, Rooms 

4093 & 4095, San Jose, California, 95113, or call 408/297-1480. 

This Order Terminates Docket Number 7. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: July 22, 2015 

 _______________________________________ 

 YVONNE GONZALEZ ROGERS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

Case 4:15-cv-00808-YGR Document 20 Filed 07/22/15 Page 2 of 2