Opinion
19 CV 10388 (VB)
07-21-2022
TERRI SIMMONS, Plaintiff, v. NICOLE MURPHY, PENNY BECKMAN, MOUNT VERNON CITY SCHOOL DISTRUCT, FELECIA GAON, Director of School Services, PUTNAM/NORTHERN WESTCHESTER BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, MICHELE FRET, and SHELLEY EINDBINDER FLEISCHMANN, and KENNETH R. HAMILTON, Defendants.
ORDER
Vincent L. Briccetti, United States District Judge.
On May 20, 2022, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. (Doc. #64). By Order dated July 5, 2022, the Court extended to July 19, 2022, the deadline for plaintiff to oppose the motion to dismiss. (Doc. #71).
On July 18, 2022, plaintiff, in lieu of responding to the motion to dismiss, filed a motion requesting the Court appoint pro bono counsel. (Doc. #72). Plaintiff also requests, in the alternative, “more time ... to seek legal assistance from the University providing cordial legal assistance to [p]ro se plaintiffs].” (Id.)
The Court has considered the type and complexity of this case, the merits of plaintiff's claims, and plaintiff's ability to present the case. At this time, the Court does not find any exceptional circumstances in plaintiff's case that would warrant the appointment of counsel. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Cooper v, A. Sargenti Co., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989).
Accordingly, plaintiff's motion is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
In light of the special solicitude accorded to pro se litigants, and to accommodate plaintiff's request for time to seek legal assistance, the Court extends plaintiff's time to oppose the motion to dismiss to August 22, 2022. To be clear, if plaintiff fails to file her opposition by August 22, 2022, the motion will be deemed fully submitted and unopposed, and will be decided in due course. Absent compelling circumstances, the Court is unlikely to grant any further extensions of time for plaintiff to respond to the motion to dismiss.
The Court certifies pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this Order would not be taken in good faith, and therefore in forma pauperis status is denied for the purposes of an appeal. Cf. Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962).
The Clerk is instructed to terminate the motion. (Doc. #72).
Chambers will mail a copy of this Order to plaintiff at the address on the docket.
SO ORDERED: