Thomas v. United States Postal Service ( 2023 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION ABRAHAM THOMAS, Plaintiff, Case No. 22-cv-11506 v. U.S. District Court Judge Gershwin A. Drain UNITED STATES POSTAL OFFICE., Defendant. / ORDER REFERRING PLAINTIFF FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND STAYING CASE Plaintiff Abraham Thomas initiated this cause of action against his employer, the United States Postal Service (USPS) for employment discrimination. ECF No. 1. Specifically, he alleges USPS has discriminated against him based on his race or nation origin, failed to accommodate his disability, and retaliated against him for filing complaints about these issues. Id. at PageID.5. Along with his Complaint, Plaintiff filed an Application to Proceed without Prepaying Fees or Costs, ECF No. 2, which the Court granted. ECF No. 7. Upon review of the Complaint, the Court has determined that Plaintiff would benefit from the assistance of counsel. See Berndt v. State of Tenn., 796 F.2d 879, 1 883 (6th Cir. 1986) (“There may be situations where the district court should sua sponte appoint counsel.”). Thus, the Court will endeavor to obtain pro bono counsel for Plaintiff. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this matter is referred to the Court’s pro bono counsel program for the appointment of counsel. The case will be STAYED for a period of thirty days, not including service, while the Court attempts to obtain pro bono counsel. If pro bono counsel is not obtained within thirty days, the stay will be lifted, and Plaintiff will proceed pro se. IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Gershwin Drain GERSHWIN A. DRAIN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Dated: January 27, 2023 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE Copies of this Order were served upon attorneys of record on January 27, 2023, by electronic and/or ordinary mail. /s/ Teresa McGovern Case Manager 2