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Volunteer Legal Service Program (VLSP)Yes, Virginia, There ARE Pro Bono Cases in Federal Court
By Tiela Chalmers, Executive Director of VLSP
You probably know that VLSP has many exciting opportunities available in landlord-tenant and family law. You might even know that we work with consumers, and offer chances for transactional attorneys to work with nonprofits. But did you know that you can also do pro bono work in U.S. District Court? For those of you whose practice is largely in Federal Court, or who are eager to get experience and exposure in that arena, this is the project for you! I’m proud to say that the Northern District of California is one of a very few places in the country to have a Legal Help Center that offers assistance to pro se litigants, and coordinates the placement of pro bono cases with interested attorneys. Ours was the second in the country to open (after Chicago) and has now been in place for three years. Last year, we gave consultations to 265 clients through our Help Center, and placed 19 cases with pro bono attorneys. We expect that these numbers will go up this year. Yes, yes, you say – but how is this about ME? Here’s the deal. You, too, can take a pro bono case in federal court. You can sign up for full scope representation, which means you see the case through its conclusion. Alternatively, you can also sign up to handle just a particular part of a case, for instance a settlement conference or a deposition. Types of cases can range from employment discrimination to civil rights to predatory lending. We also refer prisoner civil rights cases, which have often survived summary judgment motions so may lead to trial. Most of the cases are on the plaintiff side. To be referred for placement with a pro bono attorney, a litigant must be in pro per, lack the resources to retain counsel, and have a case that warrants pro bono legal representation. Clients, lost in the minutia of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, deeply appreciate the access to legal counsel that they could not otherwise afford. Volunteer attorneys get a chance to practice in Federal Court, receive judicial feedback (if they wish) and experience the deep gratitude of a U.S. District Court Judge. It’s a win-win situation. So join us at 450 Golden Gate, and see for yourself. For more information on volunteering with VLSP’s Federal Pro Bono Project, contact Evelyn Lin at 415-782-9000 x8106 or elin@sfbar.org. |