Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02137/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02137-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 42:1983bv Bivens Non-Prisoner

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18cv2137-JAH (WVG)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LISA ANDERSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

DOES 1-6; MARK HELD; GREGORY 

WILLIAMS,

Defendants.

Case No. 18cv2137-JAH (WVG)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

COUNSEL (Doc. No. 13)

Pending before this Court is Plaintiff Lisa Anderson’s (“Plaintiff”) Motion for 

Appointment of Counsel. See Doc. No. 13. There is no constitutional right to be 

represented by counsel in a civil action. Hedges v. Resolution Trust Corp., 32 F.3d 1360, 

1363 (9th Cir. 1994); See Hernandez v. Whiting, 881 F.2d 768, 770-71 (9th Cir. 1989). 

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), however, district courts may appoint counsel for indigent 

litigants under “exceptional circumstances.” See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 

(9th Cir. 1991) (quoting Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). 

Determining whether “exceptional circumstances” exist requires a court to evaluate (1) the 

likelihood of success on the merits, and (2) the ability of the petitioner to articulate his 

claims pro se in light of the complexity of the issues. Id. “Neither of these issues is 

dispositive and both must be viewed together before reaching a decision.” Id.

Case 3:18-cv-02137-JAH-WVG Document 14 Filed 02/11/19 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
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18cv2137-JAH (WVG)

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The Court finds “exceptional circumstances” do not apply to Plaintiff’s situation. 

See Terrell, 935 F.2d at 1017. Plaintiff has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on 

the merits or an inability to articulate her claims warranting an appointment of counsel.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff Lisa Anderson’s request 

for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: February 11, 2019

 

_________________________________

JOHN A. HOUSTON

United States District Judge

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