Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02584/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02584-24/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MEL TYRONE EDWARD

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-03-02584 ALA P

vs.

S. SCARSELLA, et al., 

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Pending before this court is the court’s December 21, 2007, order for appointment of

counsel for the plaintiff. 

On January 6, 2004, plaintiff Mel Edward filed a motion requesting appointment of

counsel. On July 19, 2004 the Magistrate Judge assigned to this matter referred the case to the

University of California, King Hall Civil Rights Clinic for review. On June 23, 2005, the

Magistrate Judge withdrew the referral of this matter from the University of California, King

Hall Civil Rights Clinic. On August 3, 2007, the court denied defendant’s motion for summary

judgment. 

On August 13, 2007, this court first attempted to appoint counsel for plaintiff. However,

the court was informed that appointed counsel was unavailable. On December 21, 2007, this

court again attempted to appoint counsel for plaintiff. That counsel informed the court that she

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would not be able to accept the appointment due to a conflict. 

Finally, this court has now located counsel for appointment. Thus, upon review of the

file and good cause appearing therefor, the court finds as follows:

Efforts to obtain legal representation without order of this court would be futile;

1. Plaintiff's income is 125 percent or less of the current poverty threshold

established by the Office of Management and Budget of the United States and is otherwise

without resources to obtain counsel;

2. This case is of a type that attorneys in this district ordinarily do not accept

without prepayment of a fee;

3. This case is not a fee generating case within the meaning of California Business

and Professions Code § 8030.4(g); and

4. This case has sufficient merit to warrant appointment pursuant to General

Order No. 230.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that:

1. The court hereby appoints Thomas Rector of Jones Day, 555 California Street,

26th Floor, San Francisco, California, 94104-1500 to undertake representation of the plaintiff

through pretrial proceedings and through trial; 

2. Mr. Rector is directed to contact the Clerk's Office to make arrangements for

copies of the file; 

3. Mr. Rector shall submit all deposition transcript costs for payment pursuant to 

§ 8030.6 of the California Business and Professions Code. All other contemplated costs shall be

handled as described in General Order No. 230;

4. A status conference is set for this matter on February 27, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. via

teleconference. A separate minute order will issue addressing the teleconference; and

5. Ms. Bunzel, is terminated as counsel for plaintiff. 

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DATED: January 31, 2008

/s/ Arthur L. Alarcón 

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE

 Sitting by Designation

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