Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00566/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00566-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Raymond L. Smith

Plaintiff, No. CIV S 05-0566 LKK CMK PS

vs.

Gust Keproes, et. al., 

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Currently before the court is plaintiff’s request for appointment of counsel. In the

complaint filed March 23, 2005, plaintiff alleges that defendant Kepreos refused to allow

plaintiff to sell his mobile home because of plaintiff’s status as a disabled person. Plaintiff also

alleges that, due to plaintiff’s disability defendant Kepreos engaged other named defendants to

bully plaintiff into moving out of his mobile home and terminating his tenancy with the mobile

home park. 

The gravamen of plaintiff’s complaint is that he was discriminated against 

in housing based on his disability. Plaintiff seeks appointment of counsel pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §

3613(b), which provides that a district court “may...appoint an attorney for [a person alleging

discriminatory housing practices].” Id. §3613(b)(1). 

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Case 2:05-cv-00566-LKK -CMK Document 10 Filed 06/24/05 Page 1 of 2
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The court cannot find that efforts to obtain legal representation without order of

the court would be futile and cannot determine whether this case has sufficient merit to warrant

appointment of counsel. Accordingly, plaintiff’s request for appointment of counsel is denied

without prejudice. The court suggests that plaintiff contact Legal Services of Northern California

to see if he meets their guidelines for providing representation. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel

is denied.

DATED: June 22, 2005.

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:05-cv-00566-LKK -CMK Document 10 Filed 06/24/05 Page 2 of 2