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Pro Bono Opportunity in case 4:18cv76

Monday, April 20, 2020

This is a notice of an opportunity to provide pro bono representation in a trial and all matters leading up to trial in Gerrard D’Andre Jones v. Torrey M. Johnson, et al., No. 4:18-cv-76-GRJ (N.D. Fla.). Plaintiff is an inmate in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections. Plaintiffs’ First Amendment and Eighth Amendment claims, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, are described in detail in the February 25, 2020, report and recommendation denying Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. ECF No. 106.
 
On October 7, 2014, while confined at Jefferson Correctional Institution (“Jefferson CI”), Plaintiff was called into a meeting at which Defendants and two former assistant wardens were present. Plaintiff alleges that, while he was handcuffed, an assistant warden grabbed him and twisted his left arm and shoulder “into a painfully unnatural series of directions, resulting in the dislocation of [his] arm/shoulder, completely out of the socket.” Plaintiff says that Defendants failed to intervene to stop the assistant warden from using excessive force against him and, further, that Defendant Johnson was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical need following the incident. Plaintiff also claims that Defendant Johnson’s refusal to permit Plaintiff to obtain medical treatment for his alleged injuries was retaliation for Plaintiff filing grievances.
 
An attorney who wishes to provide representation may contact Plaintiff directly and may enter the case by filing a notice of appearance as soon as possible, no later than June 5, 2020. Plaintiff is currently confined at Dade Correctional Institution. Plaintiff’s DC Number is 503034. A trial in this matter is scheduled to commence on August 17, 2020, in Tallahassee, Fla., before Magistrate Judge Gary R. Jones, and a pretrial order establishing deadlines and procedures is forthcoming. Should an attorney volunteer to represent Mr. Jones, the undersigned will entertain any necessary motion to amend pretrial deadlines or continue the trial should counsel present good cause.
 
Public funds are not available for the payment of attorney’s fees.Fees in a limited amount may be recoverable under applicable law if Plaintiff ultimately prevails. 42 U.S.C. § 1988. Limited funds are sometimes available from the District’s Bench and Bar Fund for the payment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by an attorney providing representation of this type. Members of the District’s bar will be afforded access to the electronic docket without charge for the purpose of considering whether to undertake the representation.
 
DONE AND ORDERED this 20th day of April 2020.