Does a plaintiff have a right to appointed counsel in a civil case?

A plaintiff in a civil case generally has no right to appointed counsel. See Hernandez v. Whiting, 881 F.2d 768, 770-771 (9th Cir. 1989). However, federal courts have discretion to request counsel "to represent any person unable to afford counsel." 28 U.S.C. 1915(e)(1). But appointment of counsel under section 1915 requires a finding of "exceptional circumstances." Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991). "A finding of exceptional circumstances requires an evaluation of both the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Neither of these factors is dispositive and both must be viewed together before reaching a decision." Id. (internal quotations omitted).