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Civil Pro Bono Panel Reimbursement Fund /Pro Bono Committee
The Faculty of Federal Advocates manages the Civil Pro Bono Panel Reimbursement Fund. The Fund provides limited reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in cases handled by panel attorneys for the Civil Pro Bono Panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Court and FFA may be found HERE, and a letter establishing the Fund may be found HERE. Panel attorneys may download the reimbursement information here.
Federal Court Prison Litigation Handbook
A project of the Standing Committee on Pro Se Litigation, the Prison Litigation Handbook “Provides procedural and substantive information for pro bono attorneys representing incarcerated people in civil actions in the District of Colorado.”
NOTE: This Handbook was prepared by the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado's Standing Committee on Pro Se Litigation. The Faculty of Federal Advocates is not responsible for the content of this Handbook. All comments or inquiries should be directed to the Standing Committee at COD_ProBonoPanel@cod.uscourts.gov.
2021 Recognition of Pro Bono Panel Participants
Click HERE to see the list of attorneys who took cases through the U.S. District Court's Pro Bono Panel. The FFA extends its appreciation to all who participated in this worthy effort.
U.S. District Court Civil Pro Bono Panel 2022 Annual Report
Under D.C.COLO.LAttyR 15 - Civil Pro Bono Representation the Standing Committee on Pro Se Litigation is responsible for implementing the Civil Pro Bono Panel Program and for reporting annually to the court on the status of the program. The 2022 Annual Report of the Civil Pro Bono Panel is now available HERE for the court's, the bar's, and the public's review. Please also visit the Civil Pro Bono Panel page for more information about the Program.
Video of "Representing Pro Bono Clients in Federal Court - Prisoner Issues - Part I & II
This CLE was presented by knowledgeable speakers who handle cases on behalf of prisoners through the U.S. District Court's Civil Pro Bono Panel. Click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2 of the videos.
Video of "Representing Pro Bono Clients in Federal Court - Part 1"
This CLE was presented by knowledgeable speakers who handle cases through the U.S. District Court's Civil Pro Bono Panel. Click HERE for the recording of the program. The passcode is fhQ%b5.y The materials are available HERE, HERE and HERE.
"Representing Pro Bono Clients in Federal Court - Part II"
This CLE was presented by knowledgeable speakers who handle prison litigation cases through the U.S. District Court's Civil Pro Bono Panel. The materials are available HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.
Video of "In the Trenches with the Pro Bono Panel: How to Litigate a Pro Se Plaintiff's Section 1983 Claim From Appointment to Verdict"
This CLE was presented by Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix, Kevin Homiak, Andrew Ringel and Ed Butler on January 28, 2021. Click HERE to view this information-packed program about handling a case through the U.S. District Court Civil Pro Bono Panel. The PowerPoint is available HERE and the written materials are available HERE.
Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program
The Faculty of Federal Advocates Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program provides pro bono legal services to qualified, indigent debtor/defendants in adversary proceedings brought exclusively under 11 U.S.C. §§ 523 and 727 of the Bankruptcy Code.
The bankruptcy judges and bankruptcy bar have identified a need to provide representation to pro se defendants in adversary proceedings involving discharge or dischargeability claims. These claims are not generally included as part of the original legal representation for the filing of the bankruptcy petition. However, the failure of the debtor/defendant to adequately and timely respond in an adversary proceeding may effectively undermine the entire purpose of the bankruptcy filing by determining certain debts to be nondischargeable or by an outright denial of a debtor's discharge.
The FFA has implemented the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program to help address this situation. The Program's services are limited to situations where a debtor is sued in an adversary proceeding under §§ 523 and/or 727 and the debtor meets certain income and asset tests.
The Program provides an experienced attorney who will assume full responsibility for representing the debtor/defendant. Sometimes a less experienced attorney who is interested in learning about civil litigation is also involved in representing the debtor/defendant. Mentoring is a central part of the experience and adds to the quality of the legal services provided as well as to the educational and training experience of both attorneys. Where helpful, paralegals may join the attorney team.
Out-of-pocket costs are borne by the debtor/defendant, a volunteer provider, or the Faculty of Federal Advocates. The Program maintains malpractice liability insurance for the protection of its volunteer attorneys and professionals.
Federal Pro Se Clinic
The Federal Pro Se Clinic is launching a new volunteer program. Provide advice to pro se litigants when it fits into your schedule. We welcome all attorney volunteers. We have paralegal opportunities available as well. Clinic contact information is available by clicking HERE. Email the Clinic Project Attorney at fpsc@cobar.org if you are interested or have questions.
The Faculty of Federal Advocates manages the Civil Pro Bono Panel Reimbursement Fund. The Fund provides limited reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in cases handled by panel attorneys for the Civil Pro Bono Panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Panel attorneys may download the reimbursement information here. NOTE: The Faculty of Federal Advocates is not affiliated with the Clinic.
Pro Se Bankruptcy Clinic
The Colorado Bar Association Pro Se Bankruptcy Clinic assists pro se (unrepresented) individuals with chapter 7 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado. The Clinic offers free limited scope legal advice on eligibility for bankruptcy protection; what to include in petitions, schedules, and pleadings; navigating local forms and court rules; and preparing for the meeting of creditors and other hearings. The Clinic cannot help prisoners, or with chapter 11 or chapter 13 cases, adversary proceedings, or appeals. For more information or to complete an intake, call 720-633-8866 or visit the website at https://cobar.org/bankruptcy