Jane Doe v. Related Companies LLP

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Jane Doe (List the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s)/petitioner(s).) 29-cv-01 738 VSB ( ) - inst- aganms Application for the Court to Request Pro Bono Counsel Related Companies LLP et al (List the full name(s) of the defendant(s)/respondent(s).)

I ask the Court to request a pro bono attorney to represent me in this action. In support of my application, I declare under penalty of perjury that the following information is true and correct: 1. Have you previously filed a “Request to Proceed in Forma Pauperis” (an IFP application)? Please check the appropriate box below: [| I have previously filed an IFP application in this case, and it is a true and correct representation of my current financial status. x have not previously filed an IFP application in this case and now attach an original IFP application showing my financial status. [| I have previously filed an IFP application in this case, but my financial status has changed. I have attached a new IFP application showing my current financial status. 2. Explain why you need an attorney in this case. (Please note that requests for pro bono counsel are rarely granted at the early stages of a case and usually not before the Court has issued a decision on the merits of the case.) If you asked for an attorney earlier in this case, please also explain what has changed since you last asked for an attorney. Im requesting an attorney due to my lack and knowledge of the law.

3. Explain what steps you have taken to find an attorney and with what results. (Please identify the lawyers, law firms or legal clinics you have contacted and their responses to your requests. If you have limited access to the telephone, mail, or other communication methods, or if you otherwise have had difficulty contacting attorneys, please explain.) ’ □ I’ve contacted attorneys However I’m not too informed of how to obtain an attorney to appropriately litigate this matter.

4. If you need an attorney who speaks a language other than English, state what language(s) you speak: . 5. understand that if an attorney volunteers to represent me and that attorney learns that I can afford to pay for an attorney, the attorney may give this information to the Court. 6. I understand that even if the Court grants this application, I will receive pro bono counsel only if an attorney volunteers to take my case and that there is no guarantee that an attorney will volunteer to represent me. 7. Iunderstand that if my answers on this application or in my IFP application are false, my case may be dismissed.

Date Signature

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In determining whether to grant an application for counsel, the Court must consider “the merits of APPLICATION DENIE J» . plaintiff’s case, the plaintiff’s ability to pay for private counsel, his efforts to obtain a lawyer, the SO ORDERED BES dees Pfs, 4 “ad 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 VERNON S. BRODERICK curiam). As a threshold matter, in order to qualify for appointment of counsel, Plaintiff must U SDJ , 04/28/2022 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 appointment of counsel, the Court must be cognizant of the fact that volunteer attorney time is a precious commodity and, thus, should not grant appointment of 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 the appointment of counsel. Accordingly, Plaintiff may renew their request for pro bono counsel if this case progresses passed the summary judgment stages.