Fernandez v. New York City

• Court: District Court, S.D. New York
• Decided: January 10, 2020
• Docket: 1:19-cv-04021
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ---------------------------------------------------------------------- X : RANDY FERNANDEZ, : Plaintiff, : : 19-CV-4021 (JMF) -v- : : ORDER : CITY OF NEW YORK, OFFICER CHOPRA, and : CAPTAIN GRIFFIN, : : Defendants. : X ----------------------------------------------------------------------

JESSE M. FURMAN, United States District Judge:

On January 9, 2020, the Court received the attached letter from Plaintiff, which the Court liberally construes to be an application for counsel. In determining whether to grant an application for counsel, the Court must consider “the merits of plaintiff’s case, the plaintiff’s ability to pay for private counsel, his efforts to obtain a lawyer, the availability of counsel, and the plaintiff’s ability to gather the facts and deal with the issues if unassisted by counsel.” Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co., Inc., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989) (per curiam). As a threshold matter, in order to qualify for counsel Plaintiff must demonstrate that his claim has substance or a likelihood of success. See Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58, 60-61 (2d Cir. 1986). In reviewing a request for counsel, the Court must be cognizant of the fact that volunteer attorney time is a precious commodity and, thus, should not grant a request for counsel indiscriminately. Cooper, 877 F.2d at 172. A more fully developed record will be necessary before it can be determined whether Plaintiff’s chances of success warrant his request for counsel. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that plaintiffs January 9, 2020 application for counsel is denied without prejudice to renewal at such time as the existence of a potentially meritorious claim may be demonstrated. As a courtesy, however, the deadline for Plaintiff to oppose the pending motion for summary judgment is hereby EXTENDED from January 15, 2020, to January 31, 2020; any reply shall be filed within a week of the opposition. The Clerk of the Court is directed to mail a copy of this Order to Plaintiff. SO ORDERED. Dated: January 10, 2020 New York, New York JESSE MAN Uflited States District Judge

Mail to: Randy Fernandez DIN: 19-R-0955 Hale Creek ASACTC P.O. Box 950 Johnstown, New York 12095 PRO SE

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