Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00446/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00446-24/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELTON ERVIN,

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

MERCED POLICE DEPARTMENT, et 

al.,

 Defendants.

1:13-cv-446-EPG

ORDER GRANTING APPOINTMENT OF 

COUNSEL FOR PURPOSES OF 

SETTLEMENT

(Docs. 126 and 131)

Plaintiff, Elton Ervin (“Plaintiff”), is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C § 1983. On October 19 and October 28,

2015, Plaintiff filed motions for the appointment of counsel. (Docs. 126 and 131). For the 

reasons described on the record during the status conference held on October 28, 2015, the 

Court finds that the appointment of counsel is warranted. However, also as discussed during 

that status conference, the Court lacks the ability to pay for or compel any counsel to represent 

Plaintiff in this civil action. 

Following that status conference, William L. Schmidt, an attorney from the Court’s pro

bono attorney panel, agreed to represent Plaintiff for purposes of the January 19, 2016 

settlement conference, with the understanding that he will consider appointment for purposes of 

trial following that settlement conference if the conference is unsuccessful. 

Case 1:13-cv-00446-EPG Document 147 Filed 11/24/15 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Court appoints William L. Schmidt as counsel for Plaintiff in the above-entitled

matter. This appointment is for the limited purpose of assisting Plaintiff with preparing 

for, and participating in, a settlement conference currently scheduled for January 19, 

2016 at 10:30 a.m., before the Honorable Gary S. Austin;

2. William Schmidt’s appointment will terminate fifteen days after completion of

the settlement conference, or any continuation of the settlement conference. Prior

to the termination of the appointment, the Court will accord counsel the option of

discontinuing his representation of Plaintiff, or at his discretion, proceeding as

Plaintiff’s appointed counsel for trial. If counsel does not wish to continue

representation of Plaintiff after he has carried out his limited purpose, the Court

will consider appointing new counsel for Plaintiff, if deemed appropriate at that

time;

3. Appointed counsel shall notify Sujean Park at (916) 930-4278, or via email at

spark@caed.uscourts.gov if he has any questions related to the appointment; and

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order upon William L. 

Schmidt, Attorney at Law, 377 W. Fallbrook, Suite 205, Fresno, California 93711.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 23, 2015 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-00446-EPG Document 147 Filed 11/24/15 Page 2 of 2