Pro se Plaintiff, Jonelle Cragg, filed this action to seek relief under the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”) and the Florida Civil Rights Act (the “FCRA”). Plaintiff, a graduate of Miami-Dade College, alleges the College discriminated against her based on its perception she had a mental or psychological impairment. The case is set for trial the week of December 17, 2018. If interested in representing the Plaintiff in this matter, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
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Mr. Alonso is seeking an attorney to represent him in his suit against his apartment complex and its manager, alleging retaliation under the Fair Housing Act for, among other things, allegedly denying Plaintiff the right to renew his tenancy due to his disabled son, threatening to tow his car, denying him reasonable accommodations for his disabled son, and commencing an eviction proceeding in Miami-Dade County Court (case number 2018-000236-CC-21). Plaintiff has also filed with the Florida Commission on Human Rights with reference number N # 201804642.
On November 26, 2018, Plaintiff was granted a third and final motion to amend his complaint to state a fair housing act claim. See D.E. 67. Plaintiff has until December 14, 2018 to file an amended complaint that is compliant with Rule 8. The volunteer representation would entail representing Mr. Alonso at trial (not yet scheduled), and the duties in preparation for trial (pretrial stipulation, motions in limine, etc.). If interested, please contact Kathryn Harlan by email (kathryn_harlan@flsd.uscourts.gov) or phone (305-523-5555).
Ingrid Venssa Aldamas Garcia is subject to a Petition for the Return of Child under the Hague Convention’s Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act, which alleges that she has wrongfully retained her and her ex-husband’s minor child here in the U.S. The father alleges that child’s habitual residence is in Peru, where the child previously resided with the father.
The child is currently in the United States in the Southern District of Florida with the mother, Petitioner, who is unrepresented, requires the services of a Spanish interpreter, and seeks volunteer counsel to represent her in proceedings that will determine whether her child must be returned to Peru with the father. The parties appeared for a show cause hearing on October 30, 2018. An evidentiary hearing will be held in this case on November 30, 2018 starting at 9:00 A.M. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Defendant Xiomara McLaughlin, acting in her capacity as natural guardian and parent of her daughter, has been made a party to an insurance dispute that was removed to federal court. Plaintiff’s late husband reassigned his life insurance policy to Defendant McLaughlin’s daughter, his granddaughter, shortly before his death. Plaintiff challenges the validity of that reassignment, arguing that he did not have the capacity to make that change. Plaintiff seeks injunctive and declaratory relief, declaring her the true beneficiary of the life insurance policy, and damages. The Defendant insurance company, the Prudential Insurance Company of America, has filed for interpleader, asserting that it has no stake in this matter and will pay the benefits of the insurance policy to whichever Party is designated by the Court as the beneficiary. The case is in its early stages—Defendant McLaughlin has not yet filed an answer to the Complaint. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Petitioner, Jörg Matschuk, has filed a Petition for the Return of Child to Germany under the Hague Convention’s Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act, claiming the wrongful retention of his minor child by her mother, Respondent Midiala Escalona Hernandez. The child’s habitual residence is alleged to be in Germany, where she resided with the Petitioner. The child was in the United States in the Southern District of Florida for summer vacation with Respondent. Petitioner alleges the child was scheduled to return to Germany in early September and the Respondent wrongfully retained her in the Southern District of Florida. Respondent is unrepresented, requires the services of a Spanish interpreter, and seeks volunteer counsel to represent her in proceedings that will determine whether her child must be returned to Germany with the Petitioner-Father.
The parties appeared for a show cause hearing on October 31, 2018. An evidentiary hearing will be held in this case on November 5, 2018 starting at 10:00 A.M.
If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro se Plaintiff Carlos Alonso filed this action against Dr. Gladys Y. Alonso, M.D., a medical practice group. Plaintiff brings suit for his disabled son, who must travel in a wheelchair, and claims that Defendant's office and access to same violated various provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The three-count complaint alleges causes of action for "discrimination," "retaliation," and "personal injury and other damages," stemming from the Defendant's alleged refusal to accommodate Plaintiff's son despite the latter's physical and mental disability. Plaintiff has moved the District Court several times seeking to have an attorney appointed for him, and on October 22, 2018 Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres entered an Omnibus Order referring Plaintiff to the volunteer attorney program and ordering Mr. Alonso to file a summons and guardianship order on the docket. If interested, please email torres@flsd.uscourts.gov
The Plaintiff sues the Martin County Sheriff’s Department for the unlawful use of force during his arrest. The pre-trial stage of the case is now over. The case is ready for trial. The Plaintiff who is incarcerated seeks a pro bono attorney to represent him at trial. The trial is planned to take place in December 2018. Interested attorneys may email Judge Maynard’s Chambers at maynard@flsd.uscourts.gov or call (772) 467-2320 for more information.
Plaintiff asserts claims of employment discrimination and retaliation against Defendant, his former employer, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He alleges that he was subjected to systemic racial discrimination and harassment by his former manager and was denied growth opportunities by the company. Plaintiff claims that he made several complaints to the Human Resources Department about his former manager, but that no corrective action was taken. He also alleges that he was terminated six days after making a complaint to the Human Resources Department about his former manager, and that Defendant provided no explanation for the termination. If interested, please email otazo-reyes@flsd.uscourts.gov
Pro se Plaintiff, William L. Weaver, filed this action against Miami-Dade Police Department and several of its officers. The complaint was filed on May 11, 2018 and alleges excessive force under the Fourth Amendment. In counts 2 and 3, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants violated the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Defendants moved to dismiss Plaintiff's complaint on August 30, 2018. Plaintiff did not file a response in opposition, but sought leave to file an amended complaint on September 4, 2018. The Court granted Plaintiff's motion and an amended complaint is due on or before October 1, 2018. If interested, please email torres@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiffs allege that Defendants violated their civil rights in relation to a murder investigation of an individual with whom Plaintiffs were previously involved in contentious litigation. Plaintiffs also assert claims for defamation related to publication of information regarding the individual’s death and related investigation. If interested, please email bloom@flsd.uscourts.gov