Torrance

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 2:18-cv-1631-JAM-EFB PS Petitioner, v. ORDER BRIAN TORRANCE Respondent. 16 The United States filed this action seeking to enforce an IRS summons served on respondent Brian Torrance. ECF No. 1. The court previously denied respondent’s request for appointment of counsel, finding that he failed to demonstrate that appointing counsel was appropriate. Respondent now renews his request for appointment of counsel. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), a court may appoint counsel to represent an indigent civil litigant in certain exceptional circumstances. See Agyeman v. Corrections Corp. of America, 390 F.3d 1101, 1103 (9th Cir. 2004); Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Richards v. Harper, 864 F.2d 85, 87 (9th Cir. 1988). In considering whether exceptional circumstances exist, the court must evaluate (1) the petitioner’s likelihood of success on the merits and (2) the ability…