In Re: Thomas v.

UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT No. 09-1373 In Re: RANDY L. THOMAS, Petitioner. On Petition for Writ of Mandamus. (3:07-cv-00130-GCM) Submitted: May 1, 2009 Decided: June 10, 2009 Before WILKINSON, TRAXLER, and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges. Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Randy L. Thomas, Petitioner Pro Se. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit. PER CURIAM: Randy L. Thomas petitions for a writ of mandamus seeking an order to initiate disciplinary proceedings against attorneys who represented an adverse party in a related case. We conclude that Thomas is not entitled to mandamus relief. Mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear right to the relief sought. In re First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 860 F.2d 135, 138 (4th Cir. 1988). Further, mandamus is a drastic remedy and should be used only in extraordinary circumstances. Kerr v. United States Dist. Court, 426 U.S. 394, 402 (1976); In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir. 1987). The relief sought by Thomas is not available by way of mandamus. Accordingly, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process. PETITION DENIED 2