Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02584/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02584-22/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

 /

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 to the University of California, King Hall

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

judgment. 

On August 13, 2007, this court attempted to appoint counsel for Plaintiff. However, the

court was informed that appointed counsel was unavailable and on September 12, 2007, the court

informed Plaintiff that he would have to proceed without appointed counsel. The court has now

been informed that appointed counsel is available. 

Thus, upon review of the file and good cause appearing therefor, the court finds as

Case 2:03-cv-02584-ALA Document 137 Filed 12/21/07 Page 1 of 2
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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 Ms. Sharon M. Bunzel of O’Melveny & Meyers,

275 Battery Street, 26th Floor, San Francisco, California, 94111 to undertake representation of

the Plaintiff through pretrial proceedings and through trial; 

2. Counsel shall, within thirty-five (35) days of the date of this order, respond to

this order; and

3. After receiving a response from Ms. Bunzel, the court will issue a further

order. 

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DATED: December 21, 2007 

/s/ Arthur L. Alarcón 

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE

 Sitting by Designation

Case 2:03-cv-02584-ALA Document 137 Filed 12/21/07 Page 2 of 2