Pro Bono Assistance Opportunities & Resources

Pro Bono Program:

Local Rule 87 is the court’s effort, after consultation with a broad range of attorneys who regularly practice in this court, to ensure that the court can recruit counsel in every case in which the law requires it. Local Rule 87 creates a Voluntary Panel that will consist of attorneys who are willing to volunteer to represent indigent litigants in civil cases and an Obligatory Panel from which the court will recruit counsel if no attorney from the Voluntary Panel is available to appear in a given case.

In 2017, 1,480 civil cases were filed by pro se litigants. Counsel was recruited to assist in 70 cases of those cases. Approximately, 120 attorneys participated. In response to the Court’s 2018 Pro Bono Survey, attorneys reported spending on average 20 hours on an appointment limited to assisting with settlement and on average 60 hours for an unlimited appointment.

In order to facilitate pro bono appointments, the court will reimburse certain expenses and will help obtain professional liability insurance coverage if needed. If desired, pro bono counsel may also enter into fee arrangements with their clients. Mentors are also available for consultation.

Letter from Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt - Representation of Indigent Litigants

Pro Bono Opportunities and Registration:

Pro Bono Opportunities

Fall 2025 Training Opportunities

Are you an attorney interested in serving on the voluntary panel for Pro Bono cases? To sign up, email recruitedcounsel@insd.uscourts.gov.

Local Rule and General Orders:

Local Rule 87

General Order Re: Local Rule 87 Threshold Numbers

General Order Regarding Fee Expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Recruited Counsel:

Legal Issues:

Guide for Attorneys Recruited to Represent Plaintiffs in Section 1983 Cases

Conditions of Confinement Amicus Brief

Retaliation Amicus Brief

Manning vs. United States, 546 F.3d 430 (7th Cir. 2008) (discussing application of the Federal Tort Claims Act's Judgment Bar to Bivens cases).

Eighth Amendment Deliberate Indifference

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

Prison Litigation Reform Act Issues

Attorney Support:

Recruited Counsel's Handbook for Prisoner Litigation

Document Library hosted by the Indianapolis Bar Association The document library is populated through submissions from practicing attorneys. Please consider submitting additional documents if you believe they could assist a future volunteer.

Malpractice/Professional Liability Insurance Available if Needed

Mentors Available for Consultation

Upcoming CLE Programs (There are no CLE programs scheduled at this time.)

Forms:

Motion to Appoint Additional Recruited Counsel