Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-02624/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-02624-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LARRY ALTAMIRANO SERMENO,

Plaintiff,

v.

ERICK FUCHS, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:23-CV-2624-TLN-DMC

ORDER

Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, brings this civil action. Pending before the 

Court is Plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel. See ECF No. 3.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to 

require counsel to represent indigent plaintiffs in civil actions. See e.g. 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). See 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 at this time find the required exceptional 

circumstances. Plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel is contained at page 76 of his 

first amended complaint as part of his request for relief. See ECF No. 3, pg. 76. Plaintiff does 

not include with this request any showing of exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff's motion will 

Case 2:23-cv-02624-TLN-DMC Document 6 Filed 09/05/24 Page 1 of 2
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be denied without prejudice. The sufficiency of Plaintiff's first amended complaint will be 

addressed by separate order. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel, ECF No. 3, is denied 

without prejudice. 

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to terminate ECF No. 3 as a pending 

motion. 

Dated: September 5, 2024

____________________________________

DENNIS M. COTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:23-cv-02624-TLN-DMC Document 6 Filed 09/05/24 Page 2 of 2