Opinion
24-10079
02-13-2024
Bruce Parker, Plaintiff, v. State of Michigan, et al., Defendants.
Patricia T. Morris, Mag. Judge.
ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
JUDITH E. LEVY, United States District Judge.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), “[t]he court may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.” Unlike in criminal cases, “‘[a]ppointment of counsel in a civil case is not a constitutional right' but ‘a privilege that is justified only by exceptional circumstances.'” Bryant v. McDonough, 72 F.4th 149, 152 (6th Cir. 2023) (quoting Lavado v. Keohane, 992 F.2d 601, 605-06 (6th Cir. 1993)). “In determining whether an appointment is warranted, courts must consider whether the litigant has demonstrated that [they are] indigent, in addition to evaluating the type of case, the complexity of the factual and legal issues involved, and the ability of the litigant to represent himself.” Garzon v. De Hoffman, No. 2:21-CV-10340, 2021 WL 1259462, at *1 (E.D. Mich. Apr. 6, 2021) (citing Lavado, 992 F.2d at 606). “In addition, as a general rule, appointment of counsel in a civil case is inappropriate when a litigant's claims are frivolous or have a slim chance of success.” Id.
The Court concludes that appointment of counsel is warranted in this case. Based on the financial affidavit and prisoner trust account statement provided to the Court (see ECF Nos. 2, 3), it does not appear that Plaintiff can afford to obtain counsel in this matter. Additionally, the Court's initial review of the complaint suggests that Plaintiff's claim is not frivolous. (See ECF No. 1; see also ECF No. 7.) In fact, the case appears to raise complex and novel legal issues that have yet to be resolved in the Sixth Circuit. Moreover, the ongoing risk of harm articulated in Plaintiff's motion for an emergency preliminary injunction further supports the need for counsel at this early stage of the case. (See ECF No. 7, PageID.41, 42-43.)
Accordingly, the case will be referred to the Court's pro se case administrator. The pro se case administrator will have 45 days to attempt to obtain pro bono counsel for Plaintiff. If pro bono counsel is not obtained within 45 days, Plaintiff will proceed pro se.
If Plaintiff wishes to decline this representation, they must inform the Court in writing as soon as possible.
IT IS SO ORDERED.