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Pro Bono Panel

The Program
Pro se plaintiffs in Civil Rights Act, Employment, Immigration, and other cases often apply for the appointment of counsel. This Panel has been established for the purpose of providing counsel for individuals who do not have the means to obtain counsel on their own. The Court makes the final determination, appointing counsel from the Panel in those cases where the claims appear to have merit and prosecution of the claims would be enhanced by the participation of counsel.

If you are representing yourself and need assistance, please review the Court’s pro se resources found on the Representing Yourself page. Please note that the Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs and members themselves do not provide pro bono legal representation to pro se litigants. The Committee instead works to (1) help the Court screen cases already pending in the Western District of Washington to determine if appointing counsel is appropriate and (2) to identify pro bono counsel from a panel of volunteers after the assigned Judge grants an application for pro bono counsel to be appointed.

The Benefits
Panel participation offers meaningful litigation experience in federal court, including oral argument and trial, and has proven to be beneficial to newer lawyers. Participation in the program also provides:

  • Free CLEs
  • One CLE credit for every hour of service for WSBA members
  • Court funds to defray certain expenses

Additionally, Pro Bono Status Washington Bar members can have their service hours applied toward the 30 hours of pro bono service required to waive their annual license fee.

If interested, please fill out the Pro Bono Panel Attorney Application (PDF) or Pro Bono Panel Law Firm Application (PDF) and return it to the Clerk's Office. Be sure to also read the Pro Bono Plan (PDF).

 

Questions?
You may contact the following person if you have questions:

Emily Nero
Pro Bono Coordinator
United States District Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 2310
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 370-8482
emily_nero@wawd.uscourts.gov