Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00281/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00281-9/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights (Employment Discrimination)

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JANETRA A. JOHNSON, 1:09cv0281 LJO DLB

Plaintiff, 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

vs. MOTION FOR COUNSEL

(Document 28)

SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE,

et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff Janetra A. Johnson (“Plaintiff”) is a proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this

civil rights action filed on February 13, 2009.

On January 5, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion for appointment of counsel. 

The Court may request an attorney voluntarily to represent a person proceeding in forma

pauperis who is unable to afford counsel. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). Appointment of counsel by the

Court in such circumstances is discretionary, not mandatory. United States v. $292,888.04 in U.S.

Currency, 54 F.3d 564, 569 (9th Cir. 1995). Without a reasonable method of securing and

compensating counsel, this Court will seek volunteer counsel only in the most serious and exceptional

cases. 

Appointment may be made if a court finds that there are exceptional circumstances after

evaluating the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the party to articulate his claims

pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved; the factors must be viewed together. 

Case 1:09-cv-00281-LJO-SAB Document 29 Filed 01/08/10 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991) (citing Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d

1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). 

In her request, Plaintiff contends that she needs counsel mainly because she does not know if

all of her claims are sufficient to state a claim for relief. She also states that she does not have the

“time, resources, skills to investigate the legality of ALL her claims.” Motion, at 2.

In the present case, the Court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Even if it

is assumed that Plaintiff is not well versed in the law and that she has made serious allegations which,

if proved, would entitle her to relief, her case is not exceptional. This court is faced with similar cases

almost daily. Further, at this early stage in the proceedings, the court cannot make a determination

that plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits, and based on a review of the record in this case, the

Court does not find that Plaintiff cannot adequately articulate her claims.

Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel is therefore DENIED, without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 7, 2010 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

9b0hie UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:09-cv-00281-LJO-SAB Document 29 Filed 01/08/10 Page 2 of 2