Volunteers Needed in E.D. of Wisconsin Cases

Please consider volunteering to represent the plaintiff in one of the below cases.  The court understands that the issues may not be familiar to you, which is why the court offers helpful resources, including connecting volunteer lawyers with “mentors” who have significant prior experience.  Mediations in particular, which are typically conducted via Zoom and last a few hours, require a limited time commitment and are an interesting way to obtain federal court experience.  The court will take your needs into account when scheduling dates.

The court offers reimbursement of costs (including for experts) of up to $5,000. You may also claim one CLE credit for every five hours of pro bono work, up to six credits per reporting period. The court depends on lawyers willing to volunteer their time and skills. Your service is greatly appreciated. For more information about the court’s pro bono program, please visit the court’s website at https://www.wied.uscourts.gov/pro-bono-program.

Mediation

• Pletcher v. Sparkplug Capital, LLC, 20-cv-811-LA. The pro se plaintiffs in this case are suing defendant for physical injuries sustained by Ms. Pletcher as she was moving an item out of a rental unit. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist the pro se plaintiffs in mediating this case.  Mediation will be held before Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph.
• Hirte v. Meli, et al., 20-cv-1467-WED. Prisoner is incarcerated and was allowed to proceed on First Amendment retaliation claim related to the defendants allegedly removing him from his job because he filed an inmate grievance and a Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process claim where he alleges that the defendants fabricated a conduct report. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist the plaintiff in mediating the case.
• Miller v. Whitman, et al., 19-cv-1399-BHL. The pro se prisoner plaintiff is proceeding with claims that medical care providers at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution were deliberately indifferent and/or negligent towards his amputated left hand.  The Court is looking for a lawyer to assist the pro se plaintiff in mediating the case.  Mediation will be held before Magistrate Judge William Callahan.
• Evans v. Douglas, et al., 17-cv-1133-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that several correctional officers subjected him to inhumane conditions of confinement while he was a pretrial detainee at the Milwaukee County Jail in 2011. The court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Discovery has closed and will not reopen. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff in mediation proceedings before a magistrate judge. The court would prefer, but it is not necessary, that the lawyer remain on the case for trial if mediation is unsuccessful.

Discovery, Draft/Respond to Dispositive Motions, and Pursue Settlement

• Love v. Kuber, 20-cv-1000-LA. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist a prisoner plaintiff in drafting an amended complaint and to represent him through all phases of the litigation. The plaintiff has two other cases pending in this court in which he is represented by counsel. The attorney would likely need to coordinate with the plaintiff’s other attorney to avoid duplicating claims in this lawsuit.
• Benjamin v. Sanchez, 18-cv-570-PP. The pro se plaintiff sues a nurse at the Milwaukee Mental Health Complex who he alleges forcibly medicated him against his will. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist the plaintiff in conducting discovery, drafting and/or responding to a motion for summary judgment, and (if necessary) pursuing settlement or trial. The plaintiff currently is incarcerated at Waupun Correctional Institution.
• Guerra v. Brooks, 20-cv-748-PP. The pro se plaintiff filed this lawsuit alleging false arrest and unlawful search in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Officers made the arrest after he refused to stop video recording an active traffic stop. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist the plaintiff in evaluating his claims and with the discovery process. In addition, the plaintiff may need assistance responding to a summary judgment motion or at trial. While this is not a prisoner/conditions of confinement case, the plaintiff filed this lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 and is currently incarcerated in the Fond du Lac County Jail.
• Bahling v. Nelson, 21-cv-304-BHL. The court is recruiting a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff through resolution of this case. Prior to incarceration, plaintiff had a hinge placed in his elbow, which he had shattered in a fall. Plaintiff alleges the surgeon recommended the hinge be removed after three months.  After plaintiff was incarcerated, another surgeon allegedly delayed removing the hinge for many months and did not do so until after the hinge wore through plaintiff’s skin.  There has been no discovery, and all case deadlines are stayed pending the court’s efforts to recruit counsel.

Trial 

• McCaa v. Baumann, 20-cv-30-NJ. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that the defendant failed to stop his suicide attempts. The court denied the defendant’s motion for summary judgment. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial or in potential mediation or settlement discussions.