Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-03273/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-03273-9/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 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MERRICK MOORE, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

L. GONZALEZ, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:11-cv-3273 AC P 

ORDER 

 Plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme Court has 

ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 1983 

cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In certain exceptional 

circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 

1915(e)(1). Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900 

F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). In the present case, the court does not find the required 

exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff pro se has demonstrated an adequate grasp of the issues and 

has exhibited enough knowledge of his case such that appointment of counsel is not warranted.1 

Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied. 

 

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 Plaintiff names a particular individual he wishes to proceed as his counsel. If plaintiff seeks to 

retain Brandon H. Story as his counsel, a notice of substitution in accordance with L.R. 182(g) 

may be filed. 

Case 2:11-cv-03273-AC Document 84 Filed 10/01/13 Page 1 of 2
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 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the appointment of 

counsel (ECF No. 79) is denied. 

DATED: September 30, 2013 

AC:009/md 

moor3273.31 

Case 2:11-cv-03273-AC Document 84 Filed 10/01/13 Page 2 of 2