Plaintiff Joshua Henkel is appealing the denial of his claim for disability insurance benefits by the Social Security Administration. Plaintiff claims disability due to spinal arthritis, high blood pressure, and bipolar disorder. Prior to the onset of his alleged disability, Plaintiff worked as a merchant mariner chief steward. The volunteer attorney who takes this case will have the opportunity to prepare a motion for summary judgment, respond to briefing by the United States Attorney’s Office, and present oral arguments to the Court. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
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Plaintiff Kenyatta Harmon brings this 1983 action against several Miami Beach police officers alleging excessive use of force. Plaintiff alleges that the officers, after restraining him in handcuffs and placing him face-down on the ground, delivered multiple closed fist strikes to his head, rib cage, and face. Plaintiff claims to have suffered abrasions on his head and face, a busted lip, and a swollen jaw. Plaintiff further claims to suffer from mental distress, problems sleeping, headaches, and blurred vision. He has received medical treatment at various hospitals and prison medical departments since the incident. Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Defendant Mindy Rutstein is an individual who resides in Jerusalem, Israel. Plaintiff Family First Life, LLC brings claims against Mindy Rutstein, her father (David Rutstein), and others for violation of the Lanham Act, violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, common law unfair competition, tortious interference with business relationships, libel per se and defamation, and civil conspiracy. Plaintiff alleges that Mindy Rutstein has disseminated false and disparaging comments about it and its insurance practices. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff, Sonnfred Baptiste, is in need of a volunteer attorney to represent him in his lawsuit seeking a writ of mandamus against Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States; Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security; and UR M. Jaddou, Director for Citizenship and Immigration Services. Plaintiff alleges that his Application for Certificate of Citizenship was initially denied but, following an appeal, was approved by the Department of Homeland Security in December 2020 and again in October 2021. However, Plaintiff has not yet received his certificate of citizenship or a notice advising him of the date of his Oath of Allegiance ceremony. Plaintiff seeks de novo review of his citizenship application or, alternatively, a writ of mandamus requiring the Department of Homeland Security to adjudicate his citizenship application so that he can be issued his certificate of citizenship. Any interested volunteer attorney should email mcaliley@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Roy L. Varnier was previously incarcerated at Dade Correctional Institution. While incarcerated at Dade C.I., Plaintiff slipped and fell on a wet floor, breaking his fibula and ankle. Plaintiff alleges that the Chief Health Officer of Dade C.I., Defendant Dr. Franck Papillon, misdiagnosed Plaintiff’s broken bones, refused to provide Plaintiff with a wheelchair, repeatedly denied Plaintiff’s request for more effective pain medication, disregarded the post-operative treatment instructions from the surgeon who eventually operated on Plaintiff, and prematurely removed staples from Plaintiff’s ankle—causing an infection and requiring Plaintiff to undergo another surgery. Plaintiff claims that Defendant was deliberate indifferent to his serious medical needs, in violation of the Eighth Amendment, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Joshua Levine is an inmate at Palm Beach County Jail. Plaintiff brings civil rights claims against several employees of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department for allegedly seizing and copying his legal files in October/November 2021 and thus violating his constitutional rights under the First, Fourth, and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Inadieu Legiste files his Complaint against his former employer Columbia Hospital Corporation of South Broward d/b/a Westside Regional Medical Center for a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 based on national origin discrimination in connection with Defendant’s termination of Plaintiff’s employment. Defendant has filed its Answer and Affirmative Defenses. Plaintiff seeks a volunteer lawyer. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff, a former immigration officer at Krome Detention Center in Miami, alleges that he was unlawfully suspended and then terminated from employment. He alleges breach of contract and violations of his rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
Plaintiff Francisco J. Ruiz is an inmate at Hamilton Correctional Institution. Plaintiff brings civil rights claims against several employees of the Florida Department of Corrections for excessive force and failure to intervene in connection with an alleged incident on April 12, 2018. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov
This is a registration of foreign judgment miscellaneous civil case. A judgment from the Western District of North Carolina was entered against Defendant Jacqueline Green in the amount of $40,160.98. The receiver is attempting to collect this judgment in this district using writs of garnishment as to various banks. Pro se Defendant Jacqueline Green has filed claims of exemption and requests for hearings. She seeks a volunteer lawyer. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov