Date Transmitted: 10 /7/2073 10:01:16 AIvl

2:13-cw-06030 Doc: 10

oliver B MitchellP O Box 21559Long Beach, CA 908C1

Number of Pages: 2

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Oiiver B Mit.chell v. United States Department of Veterans AfIdI-LS

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Case Number : 2 : l3-cv-06 0 3 C-ODW-CW

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Docurnent. Number:

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>10

DockeL Text:

ORDER GRANTING REQUEST FOF. APPOiNTMENT OF COUNSEL t5lioy Jucrge Otis D. irtright,r r ' r'rran the Court is concerned abcut the unneceqq^ri./ o:.!vvfi rvt !f-U !vuI U JJ UVllU=-lrgJ AU!Jt LlIC UllllCUEJDq- j EA

pendi:ure oftaxpayersdollars/ especially in a time ci f,nancial crisis. lnus, theCourt wiII closely

monit.or the prcpriety of this case and will either dismiss the case or removethe appointei attorney if the Cou:L finds that the alleqation of povertyis untrue, the accion is frivoious or malicious, or ihe pleadings ultimatelyfarl to state a claim on which relref n.ay be Eranted. (lc)

2:'-3-cv-05C3C-ODid-CW Nocice ha*. been eleccrorically maiIeC r

2:i3-cv-06030-ODW-CW Notice has been delivered by Firs*- Ciass U. S. MaiI

or .oy orher means BY IHEj ! lLllR Lc :

Olrver B MitchelIP O Box 21559Longi Beach CA 90801

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T]NITED STATE,S DISTRICT COURT

CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OLIVE,R B. MITCHELL IiI,Piaintiff,

Case No. 2: 1 3-cv-6030-ODW(CWx)

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ORDER GRANTING REOUESTFOR APPOINTMENT OF*COUNSEL

LTNITED STATE,S DEPARTME,NT OFVETERA.NS AFFAIRS et a1..

Defendants.

Plaintiff Oliver B. Mitchell III has requested appointment of counsel in this

matter. (ECF No. 5.) The Court construes this request as one under 28 LI.S.C.

$ 1915(e1(1). But appointment of counsel under 28 U.S.C. $ 1915(e)(1) is limited to

cases presenting exceptional circumstances. Wilborn y. Escalderon. J89 F.2d 1328,

1331 (9th Cir. 1986). To decide u,hether these exceptional circumstances exist. a

court must er.aluate both "the likelihood of success on the merits [and] the ability ofthe petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal

issues involved." Id.

Mitchell's Complaint sets forth various causes of action and seeks redress for a

myriad of u,rongs, inciuding discrimination and retaliation by Defendants against him

as an emplovee. patient, and whistleblower. Mitchell also seems to pursue claims on

behalf other veterans that have been harmed by the Defendants.

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Based on these allegations, the Court finds that Mitchell has sorre likeiihood of

success on the merits. But this likelihood is hampered by his inabilit-v- to clearly

articulate his claims: as exemplified by his Complaint. Although the legal issues in

this case are not particulariy complex- the Court finds that he would be better served

rn'ith the assistance of counsel. See Rand y. Rot+,land, ll3 F'.3d 1 520, 1525 (9th Cir.

L997.) Even so, the Court is concerned about the unnecessary expenditure oftaxpaS;ers' dollars, especially in a time of financial crisis. Thus, the Court will closely

monitor the proprietl, of this case and u,ill either dismiss the case or remoye the

appointed attorney if the Court finds that the ailegation of poverty is untr-ue, the action

is frivolous or malicious. or the pleadings ultimately fail to state a claim on which

relief may be granted. 28 Lr.S.C. g 1915(eX2).

Accordinglv, Mitcheil's Request for Appointment of Counsel is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

October 7,2013

OTIS D. \4{RIEHT.IIUNITED STATES DISTRICT JTTDGE