Opinion
Case No. 14-1156-SAC
06-04-2014
JANET MARIE WILSON, Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This is an action seeking review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security that plaintiff was not disabled (Doc. 1). Plaintiff has filed a motion for the appointment of counsel (Doc. 4).
Plaintiff indicates that she has only contacted one attorney; she indicates that the attorney withdrew from the case (Doc. 4 at 2). The form filled out by plaintiff states that the court typically requires that before seeking an appointed attorney, a plaintiff confer with at least five attorneys regarding legal representation (Doc. 4 at 2).
There is no constitutional right to appointment of counsel in a civil case. Carper v. DeLand, 54 F.3d 613, 616 (10 Cir. 1995); Durre v. Dempsey, 869 F.2d 543, 547 (10 Cir. 1989). 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) states that the court may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel. The decision whether to appoint counsel in a civil matter lies in the discretion of the district court. Williams v. Meese, 926 F.3d 994, 996 (10 Cir. 1991). The court should consider factors including the merits of the matter, the complexity of the factual and legal issues presented, and the movant's ability to present the claims. Rucks v. Boergermann, 57 F.3d 978, 979 (10 Cir. 1995).
The court finds that good cause has not been shown for the appointment of counsel. Contrary to the explicit instructions contained on the form filled out by the plaintiff, she has only contacted one attorney; plaintiff should attempt to confer with five attorneys. Plaintiff should contact the Lawyer Referral Service of the Wichita Bar Association (316-263-2251, ext. 103) and ask for the names of attorneys who represent social security disability claimants.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. 4) is denied.
Dated this 4th day of June 2014, Topeka, Kansas.
__________
Sam A. Crow, U.S. District Senior Judge