Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01832/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01832-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ALAN FREIBAUM,

Plaintiff,

v.

K. HOLLAND, et al.,

Defendant.

1:14-cv-01832-BAM (PC) 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 

(ECF No. 11)

On July 31, 2015, Plaintiff Alan Freibaum (“Plaintiff”) filed a motion seeking the 

appointment of counsel. In support of his motion, Plaintiff argues that (1) he is unable to afford 

counsel; (2) his imprisonment will limit his ability to litigate; (3) he has pled a cognizable claim; 

(4) counsel will better prepare his case for trial and try his case, including with regard to possible 

medical experts and cross-examination of witnesses; and (5) he has limited access to a law library 

and a limited knowledge of the law. 

Plaintiff does not have a constitutional right to appointed counsel in this action, Rand v. 

Rowland, 113 F.3d 1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997), and the court cannot require an attorney to 

represent Plaintiff pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Mallard v. United States District Court for 

the Southern District of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 1816 (1989). However, in 

certain exceptional circumstances the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel 

pursuant to section 1915(e)(1). Rand, 113 F.3d at 1525. 

Case 1:14-cv-01832-AWI-BAM Document 12 Filed 08/04/15 Page 1 of 2
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Without a reasonable method of securing and compensating counsel, the court will seek 

volunteer counsel only in the most serious and exceptional cases. In determining whether 

“exceptional circumstances exist, the district court must evaluate both the likelihood of success 

on the merits [and] the ability of the [plaintiff] to articulate his claims pro se in light of the 

complexity of the legal issues involved.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).

In the present case, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Even 

if it is assumed that Plaintiff is not well versed in the law and that he has made serious allegations 

which, if proved, would entitle him to relief, his case is not exceptional. This court is faced with 

similar cases brought by prisoners alleging deliberate indifference to serious medical needs 

almost daily. Further, at this early stage in the proceedings, the court cannot make a 

determination that Plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits, and based on a review of the record 

in this case, the court does not find that Plaintiff cannot adequately articulate his claims. Id.

For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel is HEREBY 

DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 4, 2015 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01832-AWI-BAM Document 12 Filed 08/04/15 Page 2 of 2