Clay v. Allen , 87 F. App'x 1000 ( 2004 )


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  •                                                              United States Court of Appeals
    Fifth Circuit
    F I L E D
    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT                      February 20, 2004
    Charles R. Fulbruge III
    Clerk
    No. 03-60413
    Summary Calendar
    LOUIS JAMES CLAY, JR.,
    Plaintiff-Appellant,
    versus
    MON CREE ALLEN; MARY R. THOMPSON,
    Defendants-Appellees.
    Appeal from the United States District Court
    for the Southern District of Mississippi
    USDC No. 5:00-CV-39-BrS
    Before JONES, BENAVIDES and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.
    PER CURIAM:*
    Louis James Clay, Jr., Mississippi Inmate No. 08452,
    proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
    action, appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in
    favor of   defendant   Mon    Cree   Allen,   and   the   district    court’s
    dismissal without prejudice of his claims against Mary R. Thompson
    for lack of service.
    *
    Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that
    this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except
    under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
    Clay does not address the merits of the district court’s
    grant of summary judgment in either his initial or reply brief.
    When an appellant fails to identify any error in the district
    court’s analysis, it is the same as if the appellant had not
    appealed that judgment.     See Brinkmann v. Dallas County Deputy
    Sheriff Abner, 
    813 F.2d 744
    , 748 (5th Cir. 1987); Yohey v. Collins,
    
    985 F.2d 222
    , 224-25 (5th Cir. 1993).
    Clay argues that the district court erred in dismissing
    his complaint against the court reporter, Thompson, pursuant to
    FED. R. CIV. P. 4(m), for failure to provide a valid address for
    service.     This court reviews a dismissal for failure to effect
    timely service of process for an abuse of discretion.    Lindsey v.
    United States R.R. Retirement Bd., 
    101 F.3d 444
    , 445 (5th Cir.
    1996).     Based on our review of the record, we conclude that the
    district court did not abuse its discretion.   See Rochon v. Dawson,
    
    828 F.2d 1107
    , 1110 (5th Cir. 1987) (plaintiff may not remain
    silent but must attempt to remedy any apparent service defects).
    Clay argues that the district court erred by denying his
    requests for appointment of counsel.    The court is not required to
    appoint counsel for an indigent plaintiff raising a 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
     claim in the absence of “exceptional circumstances.”   Ulmer
    v. Chancellor, 
    691 F.2d 209
    , 212 (5th Cir. 1982).    Based upon our
    review of the record, we conclude that the district court did not
    abuse its discretion because Clay has not shown such exceptional
    circumstances are present in this case.
    2
    Clay also states that he wishes to “resubmit” his motion
    to recuse District Court Judge David Bramlette.   Clay also moved
    for recusal of Judge Bramlette during a prior appeal of this case.
    See Clay v. Allen, 
    242 F.3d 679
    , 680-81 (5th Cir. 2001).       We
    refused to consider the argument because it was raised for the
    first time on appeal.   See 
    id.
     (citing United States v. Sanford,
    
    157 F.3d 987
    , 988-89 (5th Cir. 1988)).   On remand, Clay did not
    reurge his recusal motion in the district court, and we again
    decline to consider the argument.
    AFFIRMED.
    3