Local Rule 87 FAQ
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has adopted a new pro bono rule which gives the judges the option of assigning cases to attorneys. Here are some frequently asked questions about the rule.
Pro bono
Articles
New local rule permits judges to assign cases to attorneys
Chief Judge Richard Young is confident the new mandatory pro bono rule adopted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will solve problems caused by pro se litigants trying to navigate the federal judiciary.
Southern District mandatory pro bono service to start in October
Attorneys could be tapped to handle cases under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana’s new mandatory pro bono rule before the end of this year.
Mandatory pro bono starting in Southern District
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has adopted a new local rule which will mandate certain attorneys provide pro bono services to pro se litigants.
Legal Service Corp.’s Levi putting spotlight on crisis in legal aid
Emphasizing that legal aid is having to turn away half of those who ask for assistance, Legal Service Corp. board chair John Levi is pushing to raise public awareness and ultimately get more resources flowing to legal services for low-income individuals.
New Coalition for Court Access aims to improve delivery of civil legal services
After establishing three committees to tackle the persistent problem of unrepresented litigants trying to maneuver their way through the state’s judicial system, the Indiana Supreme Court has decided to start over.
Southern District proposes mandatory pro bono program
Flooded by pro se litigants and under pressure from the appellate circuit to provide attorneys, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is proposing the adoption of a mandatory pro bono program to supplement its volunteer pool.
Indiana Supreme Court establishes new committee for civil legal aid
In an amendment to the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, the Indiana Supreme Court is revamping its response to civil legal aid.
Veterans trade in military life to become legal aid attorneys
Polli Pollem is among a trio of Indianapolis attorneys who left the military as officers, went to law school and have since found their way into legal aid. They credit their time in the service with providing them the means to get an undergraduate degree and fostering the desire to pursue a J.D.
Southern District proposes mandatory pro bono
A proposed rule change would for the first time obligate lawyers to provide mandatory pro bono service to litigants in civil cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the court announced Friday.
COA: Firm entitled to investigatory expenses
A firm who represented an indigent man’s murder case pro bono is entitled to the costs of the investigation of his defense, the Court of Appeals ruled, even though the man pleaded guilty.
Pro Bono: One Attorney, One Big Impact
Darrell has been a solo practitioner for the last 23 years, but he still dedicates many hours each year to pro bono work.
Southern District launches initiative to help pro se litigants
In response to a series of cases remanded from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Southern District of Indiana is attempting to recruit more volunteer attorneys and, in what one observer called a “very progressive” approach, enlist medical professionals to offer expert testimony.
Evansville Bar Association honors firm, professionals at luncheon
The Evansville Bar Association and Volunteer Lawyer Program of SW Indiana recognized pro bono work, legal secretaries and paralegals during their annual joint awards luncheon Wednesday.
Clinic to provide pro bono naturalization services
As many as 60 legal permanent residents will be assisted with naturalization applications Saturday morning by volunteer attorneys from the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic’s Immigrant Justice Program.
Attorneys applauded for representing pro bono clients in federal court
The third annual event in a jury room at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Indianapolis was a thank you to all the attorneys who provided pro bono help in 2015 to pro se litigants in either the Civil Trial Assistance Panel or the Mediation Assistance Program.
‘Talk to a Lawyer Today’ statewide event to mark MLK Day
Lawyers throughout the state will donate legal services to underserved people Monday in the Indiana State Bar Association’s “Talk to a Lawyer Today” event, its 15th annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Survey results reveal range in hours of pro bono work performed annually
The pro bono community still believes having attorneys donate their time and professional skills remains a viable method for providing services to low-income individuals and families. But Indiana attorneys overwhelmingly indicate they neither want to be told to volunteer nor be obligated to report their volunteer hours.
Grants boost help for homeowners facing foreclosure
The money is part of the $584,646 the Indiana Bar Foundation received from the Bank of America settlement with the federal government over the bank’s sale, structuring and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities and certain other mortgage loans.
Indiana Bar Foundation celebrates anniversary by awarding grants
At its 65th anniversary celebration dinner Nov. 6, the Indiana Bar Foundation announced more than $1 million in grants to legal aid and pro bono districts, marking the first time the statewide nonprofit had been able to award such a large amount since the economic recession.