Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00287/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00287-2/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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K:\COMMON\CHMB_Bencivengo\Cases\Prisoner 1983\Velarde--11cv0287\11cv0287-appt-counsel1.wpd 11cv0287 AJB (CAB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HAROLD ANTHONY VELARDE,

CDCR #K-43056,

Case No. 11cv0287 AJB (CAB)

Plaintiff,

ORDER APPOINTING PRO BONO

COUNSEL PURSUANT TO 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1)

vs.

E. DUARTE, Correctional Officer,

Defendant.

Plaintiff, a state prisoner currently incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison in Calipatria, California,

filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has been proceeding in pro se and

has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) (ECF No. 4).

While there is no right to counsel in a civil action, a court may under “exceptional

circumstances” exercise its discretion and “request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford

counsel.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009). The court must

consider both “‘the likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of the [Plaintiff] to articulate

his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.’” Id. (quoting Weygandt v.

Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983)). 

When he first initiated this case, Plaintiff requested but was denied appointment of counsel (ECF

Nos. 3, 4). On June 27, 2011, Plaintiff filed a second motion for appointment of counsel, but the Court

Case 3:11-cv-00287-AJB-KSC Document 16 Filed 10/19/11 Page 1 of 2
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K:\COMMON\CHMB_Bencivengo\Cases\Prisoner 1983\Velarde--11cv0287\11cv0287-appt-counsel2.wpd 11cv0287 AJB (CAB)

again denied his request, noting that it appeared he had a “sufficient grasp of his case” and the legal

issues involved (ECF No. 13). Plaintiff’s second Motion was denied without prejudice however,

because while he summarily claimed the issues involved in presenting his case were complex, Plaintiff

failed to offer any specifics to demonstrate either the complexity or likelihood of success on the merits

sufficient to show the exceptional circumstances necessary to warrant counsel. Id. (citing Terrell v.

Brewer, 935 F.3d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991)).

However, on August 3, 2011, the Southern District of California adopted, pursuant to General

Order No. 596 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), a Plan for the Representation of Pro Se Litigants in Civil

Cases. The Court has since exercised its discretion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) to identify this

case as appropriate for pro bono representation under the Plan, and has randomly selected a volunteer

attorney from the Court’s Pro Bono Panel. 

Conclusion and Order

Accordingly, the Court hereby APPOINTS Angela Kim Zugman, Esq., of Burcham & Zugman,

APC, 964 5th Avenue, Suite 300, San Diego, California, 92101, as Pro Bono Counsel for Plaintiff. 

Pursuant to S.D.CAL.CIVLR 83.3(g)(2), Pro Bono Counsel shall file, within fourteen (14) days

of this Order, a formal written Notice of Substitution of Attorney signed by both Plaintiff and his newly

appointed counsel. Such substitution shall be considered approved by the Court upon filing, and Pro

Bono Counsel shall thereafter be considered attorney of record for Plaintiff for all purposes during

further proceedings before this Court. See S.D. CAL. CIVLR 83.3(g)(1), (2). IT IS FURTHERED

ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall serve Ms. Zugman with a copy of the Order at the address listed

above upon filing. See S.D. CAL. CIVLR 83.3(f)(2).

DATED: October 19, 2011

CATHY ANN BENCIVENGO

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:11-cv-00287-AJB-KSC Document 16 Filed 10/19/11 Page 2 of 2