No funds. My first request for a pro bono panel appointment was refused. I intend to refile that… Maybe if the Complaint isn’t dismissed somebody will be interested in taking it on.

Oh! Well, you should find a lawyer in Washington to represent you. It’s foolhardy to try to handle a federal lawsuit on your own (I am assuming you aren’t a lawyer).

I’m in Japan, I’ve filed a pro se suit against the CIA et al. in the D.C. district court for serial harassment. On the 25th I’ll be filing a Second Amended Complaint, which, presuming it’s not dismissed, will bring about some rulings on 10(a), as I’ve basically contested Brockmeyer, claiming that the text of the provision passively authorizes service by mail directly, without going through the court clerk. It continues to be a monumental task, but I believe I’ll have the document to within the 45-page limit set by the judge. 1:15-cv-01736-JEB

Let me know if you need help—I consult on this kind of stuff. Good luck!

Thanks Ted, I guess I blew that thus far, but I have maintained that 10(a) allows direct mailing on the face of the text, against the reading of the Brockmeyer Court. Didn’t think about the clerk being able to delegate authority… This might show up on your radar before long, assuming that I make it through the motions to dismiss stage…

Darren, it’s a complicated question, and don’t take this as legal advice. Sticking just to federal courts, my basic view is (1) in general the clerk must address and send the parcel, but (2) there may be an exception, as some courts have held, if the clerk delegates that authority to the plaintiff, and (3) in any case, a court could grant leave for the plaintiff to serve process by mail directly.