Opinion
18-cv-838 (NSR)
10-09-2020
ISAIAH BLANCH, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL A. SCHIFF, SHERIFF; ERIC CHABOTY, UNDERSHERIFF; HAROLD SMITH, JR., JAIL ADMINISTRATOR; JOE D.P.W., D.P.W. SENIOR MAINTENANCE; J. GANDULLA, SENIOR REGISTERED NURSE; JANET CALANGELO, CORPORAL AND GRIEVANCE COORDINATOR; GABRIEL, CORPORAL AND GRIEVANCE COORDINATOR; WAYNE ALTMAN, SENIOR REGISTERED NURSE; LT. CHRISTOPHER BINI, LT. & CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR/GRIEVANCE COORDINATOR; WENDY MOORE, R.N.; DR. GOOD, PHYSICIAN; LISA SAUER, NURSE PRACTITIONER; MARTIN DAVIS R.N.; JACOB CRAWLEY R.N., individually and in their official capacities, Defendants.
MEMORANDUM & ORDER :
Plaintiff Isaiah Blanch ("Plaintiff"), by applications dated July 26, 2020 and August 12, 2020, seeks appointment of pro bono counsel. (ECF Nos. 104 and 105.)
Unlike in criminal proceedings, the Court does not have the power to obligate attorneys to represent indigent pro se litigants in civil cases. See Mallard v. U.S. Dist. Court for the S. Dist. of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 308-09 (1989). Instead, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), the Court may, at its discretion, order that the Pro Se Office request an attorney to represent an indigent litigant by placing the matter on a list circulated to attorneys who are members of the Court's pro bono panel. See Palacio v. City of New York, 489 F. Supp. 2d 335, 344 (S.D.N.Y. 2007).
The Second Circuit set forth the standards governing the appointment of counsel in pro se cases in Hendricks v. Coughlin, 114 F.3d 390, 392 (2d Cir. 1997), Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989), and Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58, 60-62 (2d Cir. 1986). These cases direct the district courts to "first determine whether the indigent's position seems likely to be of substance," Hodge, 802 F.2d at 61, and then, if this threshold is met, to consider "secondary criteria," including the pro se litigant's "ability to obtain representation independently, and his ability to handle the case without assistance in the light of the required factual investigation, the complexity of the legal issues, and the need for expertly conducted cross-examination to test veracity." Cooper, 877 F.2d at 172; accord Hendricks, 114 F.3d at 392 (quoting Hodge, 802 F.2d at 61-62). "Even where the claim is not frivolous, counsel is often unwarranted where the indigent's chances of success are extremely slim," and the Court should determine whether the pro se litigant's "position seems likely to be of substance," or shows "some chance of success." Hodge, 802 F.2d at 60-61.
The proceedings are still in their early stages, and the parties have yet to enter discovery or make summary judgment motions. Thus, the Court is unable to conclude that Plaintiff cannot handle the case without assistance, although this conclusion may change as the action progresses. Furthermore, the Court still cannot ascertain whether Plaintiff's position shows a strong chance of success, nor are the legal issues in this case particularly complex.
Therefore, because the Court does not find any circumstances which warrant the appointment of pro bono counsel at this time, Plaintiff's motion is DENIED without prejudice to renew at a later stage in the proceedings. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to mail a copy of this Order to Plaintiff at his address as listed on ECF and to show proof of service. Dated: October 9, 2020
White Plains, New York
SO ORDERED:
/s/_________
NELSON S. ROMÁN
United States District Judge