Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-03350/USCOURTS-cand-4_18-cv-03350-2/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

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GREGORY L. FLETCHER,

Plaintiff,

v.

GARCIA, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 18-cv-03350-YGR (PR)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

SECOND MOTION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL; AND 

SUA SPONTE GRANTING HIM 

EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE 

OPPOSITION

Before the Court is Plaintiff’s second motion for appointment of counsel to represent him 

in this action. Dkt. 20. In an Order dated January 16, 2019, the Court denied Plaintiff’s first 

request for appointment of counsel. Dkt. 9. Also pending is Defendants’ motion for summary 

judgment. Dkt. 21.

Plaintiff requests that the Court appoint counsel because the issues presented are complex, 

he has limited access to the law library, he cannot effectively litigate his case, and he suffers from

certain physical impairments. Dkt. 20 at 3-6. However, as stated in the Court’s previous order 

denying appointment of counsel there is no constitutional right to counsel in a civil case. Dkt. 9 at 

4 (citing Lassiter v. Dep’t of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18, 25 (1981)). 28 U.S.C. § 1915 confers 

on a district court only the power to “request” that counsel represent a litigant who is proceeding 

in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). This does not give the courts the power to make 

“coercive appointments of counsel.” Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 310 

(1989). 

The court may ask counsel to represent an indigent litigant under section 1915 only in 

“exceptional circumstances,” the determination of which requires an evaluation of both (1) the 

likelihood of success on the merits and (2) the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se

in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. See Rand v. Rowland, 113 F.3d 1520, 1525 

Case 4:18-cv-03350-YGR Document 23 Filed 04/02/19 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

(9th Cir. 1997); Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wilborn v. Escalderon, 

789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986). Both of these factors must be viewed together before 

reaching a decision on a request for counsel under section 1915. See id. Neither the need for 

discovery, nor the fact that the pro se litigant would be better served with the assistance of 

counsel, necessarily qualify the issues involved as complex. See Rand, 113 F.3d at 1525 (where 

plaintiff’s pursuit of discovery was comprehensive and focused and his papers were generally 

articulate and organized, district court did not abuse discretion in denying request for counsel). 

Here, the Court finds that Plaintiff has aptly presented his claims, and that the issues 

presented in the Defendants’ motion for summary judgment are straightforward. Accordingly, the 

Court finds that appointment of counsel is not necessary at this time. Plaintiff’s second motion for 

appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice. Dkt. 20. 

Plaintiff’s opposition to Defendants’ pending motion for summary judgment is due on 

April 16, 2019. The Court sua sponte GRANTS Plaintiff an extension of time to file his 

opposition. The time in which Plaintiff may file his opposition will be extended up to and 

including May 16, 2019. Defendants shall file their reply no later than fourteen (14) days after 

the date Plaintiff’s opposition is filed.

This Order terminates Docket No. 20.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:

______________________________________

YVONNE GONZALEZ ROGERS

United States District Court Judge

April 2, 2019

Case 4:18-cv-03350-YGR Document 23 Filed 04/02/19 Page 2 of 2