Opinion
Civil Action No. 1:05-CV-1990.
April 12, 2006
ORDER
AND NOW, this 12th day of April, 2006, upon consideration of plaintiff's motion (Doc. 22) for appointment of counsel, and defendants' motion (Doc. 20) to dismiss for failure to comply with a prior order of court permitting defendants to depose plaintiff (see Doc. 18), see FED. R. CIV. P. 37(b)(2)(c) ("If a party . . . fails to obey an order to provide or permit discovery, the court . . . may . . . dismiss the action. . . ."); Poulis v. State Farm Fire Cas. Co., 747 F.2d 863, 868 (3d Cir. 1984) (identifying six factors relevant to deciding whether to dismiss), and it appearing that the resolution of plaintiff's claims neither implicate complex legal or factual issues nor require significant factual investigation or the testimony of expert witnesses, see Tabron v. Grace, 6 F.3d 147, 155-57 (3d Cir. 1993) (listing factors relevant to a request for counsel), and the court finding that plaintiff is personally responsible for refusing to be deposed,see Poulis, 747 F.2d at 868 (identifying "extent of the party's personal responsibility" as a factor), that plaintiff does not have a history of dilatoriness, see id. (identifying "history of dilatoriness" as a factor), that plaintiff's refusal to be deposed was willful but not in bad faith, see id. (identifying "willful" or "bad faith" conduct as factors), that a limited extension on the discovery and dispositive motions deadline will not prejudice defendants, see id. (identifying "[p]rejudice to the adversary" as a factor), and that the court cannot, at this time, discern the meritoriousness of plaintiff's claims, see id. (identifying "[m]eritoriousness of the claim" as a factor), it is hereby ORDERED that:
The court assumes, for the purpose of ruling on the motion, that plaintiff's claim has an arguable basis in law and fact.See Tabron v. Grace, 6 F.3d 147, 155-57 (3d Cir. 1993).
1. The motion (Doc. 22) for appointment of counsel is DENIED. If further proceedings demonstrate the need for counsel, the matter may be reconsidered either sua sponte or upon motion of plaintiff. See Tabron v. Grace, 6 F.3d 147, 156 (3d Cir. 1993).
2. The motion (Doc. 20) to dismiss for failure to comply with an order of court is DENIED.
3. Defendants shall be permitted to conduct an oral deposition of plaintiff in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (See Doc. 18.)
4. Plaintiff's failure to submit to a deposition will result in the dismissal of this case. See FED. R. CIV. P. 37, 41(b).
5. The current pretrial schedule (Doc. 3) is MODIFIED as follows:
a. All fact discovery shall be completed by Friday, May 26, 2006.
b. Dispositive motions and supporting briefs shall be filed on or before Wednesday, June 14, 2006.
c. A pretrial/trial schedule shall be issued by future order of court.