Wright v. DeJoy ( 2021 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION ELIZABETH WRIGHT, Plaintiff, Case No. 21-cv-10871 Hon. Matthew F. Leitman v. LOUIS DEJOY, Postmaster General of the United States, Defendant. __________________________________________________________________/ ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL (ECF No. 2) In this pro se action, Plaintiff Elizabeth Wright alleges that Defendant Louis DeJoy wrongly denied her application for disability retirement. (See Compl., ECF No. 1.) Wright has now requested that the Court appoint her counsel. (See Mot., ECF No. 2.) Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, “[t]he court may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) (emphasis added). “Appointment of counsel in a civil case is not a constitutional right. It is a privilege that is justified only by exceptional circumstances.” Lavado v. Keohane, 992 F.2d 601, 605-06 (6th Cir. 1993) (internal quotations and citations omitted). See also Lanier v. Bryant, 332 F.3d 999, 1006 (6th Cir. 2003) (affirming order denying prisoner’s motion to appoint counsel in civil action). Relevant considerations include the type of case, the plaintiff’s ability to represent herself, the complexity of the factual and legal issues involved, and the claim’s relative merits. See Lavado, 992 F.2d at 605-06. Here, Wright has not established that “exceptional circumstances” warrant the appointment of counsel. Nor has she shown that she is unable to represent herself in this action. Thus, the Court is not persuaded that the appointment of counsel is necessary or appropriate at this time. For all of the reasons stated above, Wright’s motion to appoint counsel (ECF No. 2) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Wright may renew her motion, if appropriate, at a later stage of this litigation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Matthew F. Leitman MATTHEW F. LEITMAN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Dated: May 6, 2021 I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the parties and/or counsel of record on May 6, 2021, by electronic means and/or ordinary mail. s/Holly A. Monda Case Manager (810) 341-9764