From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Thomas v. Davis

United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Sep 24, 2021
Civil Action 5:21-cv-51 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Sep. 24, 2021)

Opinion

Civil Action 5:21-cv-51 (MTT)

09-24-2021

JONATHAN BRIAN THOMAS, Plaintiff, v. Sheriff DAVID DAVIS, Defendant.


ORDER

MARC T. TREADWELL, CHIEF JUDGE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Plaintiff Jonathan Thomas has moved the Court ex parte to appoint him counsel. Doc. 22. Thomas's complaint alleged Eighth Amendment and ADA violations stemming from his incarceration at Bibb County Jail. Doc. 1. Thomas claims that he needs counsel because his “case is a complex civil rights action, and must be handled with extreme care.” Doc. 22.

“Appointment of counsel in a civil case is not a constitutional right.” Wahl v. McIver, 773 F.2d 1169, 1174 (11th Cir. 1985) (citation omitted). Rather, “it is a privilege that is justified only by exceptional circumstances.” Id. (citation omitted). At the scheduling conference held on September 23, 2021, Thomas was able to communicate with the Court effectively and intelligently. Furthermore, he demonstrated a familiarity with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and an understanding of the discovery process. Thomas has not shown the existence of exceptional circumstances necessary to justify the appointment of counsel in his civil case. Accordingly, Thomas's motion (Doc. 22) is DENIED.

SO ORDERED


Summaries of

Thomas v. Davis

United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Sep 24, 2021
Civil Action 5:21-cv-51 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Sep. 24, 2021)
Case details for

Thomas v. Davis

Case Details

Full title:JONATHAN BRIAN THOMAS, Plaintiff, v. Sheriff DAVID DAVIS, Defendant.

Court:United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia

Date published: Sep 24, 2021

Citations

Civil Action 5:21-cv-51 (MTT) (M.D. Ga. Sep. 24, 2021)