Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_18-cv-02899/USCOURTS-cand-5_18-cv-02899-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

COREY ANTHONY MERINO,

Plaintiff,

v.

COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA,

Defendant.

Case No. 18-cv-02899-VKD 

ORDER REFERRING PLAINTIFF TO 

FEDERAL PRO SE PROGRAM AND 

STAYING PROCEEDINGS PENDING 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

At the initial case management conference on November 6, 2018, the Court discussed with 

the parties the possible placement of this case with pro bono counsel to assist plaintiff Corey 

Merino with a limited scope representation in this case. Mr. Merino does not currently have 

counsel and has indicated that he does not have the resources to retain counsel. Mr. Merino states

that although he has attempted to obtain counsel, he has been unable to do so, and that he wishes 

to have counsel appointed to assist him in this matter. The Court finds good cause for 

appointment of pro bono counsel, and orders as follows: 

1. The Court refers Mr. Merino to the Federal Pro Se Program (“Program”) to 

determine whether the matter can be placed with pro bono counsel. The scope of this referral is 

for the limited purpose of appointing counsel to represent Mr. Merino with respect to the 

following matters: defendant’s pending motion to dismiss, and if appropriate, amendment of 

plaintiff's complaint and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

2. The Program shall endeavor to identify suitable pro bono counsel no later than

December 4, 2018.

3. Once counsel has been identified, the Program shall notify the clerk and shall 

Case 5:18-cv-02899-VKD Document 24 Filed 11/06/18 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

inform Judge DeMarchi by email. If the Program is unable to identify pro bono counsel by

December 4, 2018, the Program shall so inform Judge DeMarchi.

4. Upon being notified by the Program that an attorney has been identified to serve as 

pro bono counsel for Mr. Merino, that attorney shall be appointed as counsel for Mr. Merino in 

this matter for the scope of representation described above. The Court shall issue an order 

relieving pro bono counsel from representation of Mr. Merino once the purposes of the limited 

scope representation have been fulfilled.

All proceedings in this action are hereby stayed through December 4, 2018 to allow time 

for the appointment of counsel.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 6, 2018

VIRGINIA K. DEMARCHI

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 5:18-cv-02899-VKD Document 24 Filed 11/06/18 Page 2 of 2