If you are unable to pay for an attorney but would like legal representation in a pending, active civil suit in District Court, you may submit a Motion for Appointment of Pro Bono Counsel. The decision to appoint pro bono counsel lies with the judge presiding over your case. Judicial officers may order the appointment of counsel for all purposes, for the limited purpose of reviewing plaintiff's claims, or for other specific purposes, such as assistance in mediation or settlement conferences.

Appointment for a Limited Purpose of Reviewing Plaintiff's Claims

The Court expects attorneys appointed for the limited purpose of reviewing plaintiff's claims to:

1. Determine if a conflict of interest exists within 14 days of the date of the order. If a conflict of interest exists, the attorney is to file the response form with the conflict of interest option checked (option (a) as seen in section 4 of this document).
2. File the response form with the termination request option checked (option (b) as seen in section 4 of this document) if no conflict of interest exists but the attorney/law firm is requesting termination of the appointment for a reason other than a conflict of interest.
3. File the response form with the conclusion of limited purpose appointment option checked (option (c) as seen in section 4 of this document) upon completion of the 42-day review and investigation, and after providing the pro se litigant a written report of the attorney or law firm's findings and/or recommendations.

Once an attorney appointed for a limited purpose completes the 42-day review and investigation and provides a written report and recommendation to the litigant, the appointment is complete and the responsibilities under the program procedures have been fulfilled. However, if an attorney appointed for a limited purpose chooses to remain as counsel of record for the duration of the case, the attorney/law firm is to file the response form with the acceptance of further representation option checked (option (d) as seen in section 4 of the document).

Appointment for All or Other Purposes

The Court expects attorneys appointed for Other or All Purposes to:

1. Determine if a conflict of interest exists within 14 days of the date of the order. If a conflict exists, the attorney is to file the response form with the conflict of interest option checked (option (a) as seen in section 4 of this document).
2. File the response form with the termination request option checked (option (b) as seen in section 4 of this document) if no conflict of interest exists but the attorney would like to request a termination of the appointment for a reason other than a conflict of interest within 14 days of the date of the order.
3. File the response form with the acceptance of further representation option checked (option (d) as seen in section 4 of this document) within 14 days of the date of the order.

An attorney appointed for all purposes takes responsibility for all aspects of case management, including filing timely notices and motions, managing discovery and other pretrial activity, and representing you at trial.

Last Updated on Thursday, June 09, 2011