MARK W. PEDERSEN, Magistrate Judge.
Tommy Lee Brown, Plaintiff pro se ("Brown"), is an inmate at Five Points Correctional facility and is requesting the assistance of pro bono counsel in this civil rights litigation.
The docket has a First Amended Complaint ("Compl.") filed by Jon P. Getz, Esq.,
Brown's raises fourteen claims for relief, and asks for punitive damages. He is suing 60 defendants, some of which are named as John Doe. The complaint outlines,
(Compl. ¶ 8.) At the time of the complaint, Brown was housed in the Central New York Psychiatric Center. (Id. ¶ 10.)
With one application for the appointment of counsel (ECF No. 86), Brown enclosed letters from six lawyers turning down the opportunity to represent him in this case, along with a "Verified Amended Complaint." (ECF No. 86-1.) In his second application for pro bono counsel, Brown included an affidavit in which he explained that he is "a layman whom [sic] is suffering from serious mental illness with no knowledge of the laws ..." and claims that his mental condition makes it problematic for him to understand and comprehend any legal standards and instructions. (ECF No. 87.) Included in the second application is a memorandum from an unnamed individual who is evidently assisting Brown with preparation of his papers in opposition to the motion to dismiss. (ECF No. 87 at 9.) On November 8, 2019, after receiving extensions of time to do so, Brown filed his response to the motion to dismiss. (Reply to Defendants 12(b)6 and 12(c) Notice of Motion and Memorandum of Law, Nov. 8, 2019, ECF No. 98.) Brown's response cites the standard of review for a motion to dismiss,
The Hon. Elizabeth Wolford outlined the standard for assignment of pro bono counsel. (Order Granting Motion to Appoint Counsel, Feb. 22, 2017, ECF No. 23.) "In deciding whether to appoint counsel, ... the district judge should first determine whether the indigent's position seems likely to be of substance," and "[i]f the claim meets this threshold requirement, the court must then consider" a number of other factors in making its determination. Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58, 61 (2d Cir. 1986). Judge Wolford has already found that Brown's position seems likely to be of substance. Under Hodge:
Id. at 61-62.
At this stage in the litigation, Brown has shown an ability to adequately represent himself in opposing the pending motion to dismiss. Depending on the outcome of that motion, he may need assistance investigating any claims that remain in the litigation, as well as assistance with cross-examination.
For the time being, however, considering the sacristy of pro bono counsel, and the thoroughness with which Brown has represented himself on the motion to dismiss, the Court denies his application for the assignment of pro bono counsel. Brown's motions, ECF No. 86 and ECF No. 87, are denied. This denial is without prejudice to renewal should Brown continue to be involved in suing three facilities and 60 defendants after the District Judge's decision on the motion to dismiss.
IT IS SO ORDERED.