colorado federal pro se legal clinic who is the attorney

Federal Pro Se Clinic

The clinic is staffed and operated by the Colorado Bar Association and funded by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado using a biennial $50 fee collected from attorneys.

The Civil Pro Bono Panel

The Civil Pro Bono Panel, implemented in 2013, now works in collaboration with the Federal Pro Se Clinic. The Civil Pro Bono Panel provides volunteer attorney representation to pro se parties, both plaintiffs and defendants, in civil actions (including prisoner civil actions) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Educating Attorneys About Unbundled Representation in Federal Court

The Advisory Committee for the Clinic, comprised of members from the District, the Colorado Lawyers Committee, Colorado Legal Services, and the Colorado Bar Association, are now moving forward with educating attorneys and judges about the unbundling of legal services in federal court. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix, U.S.

The Next Federal Court Unbundling Roadshow is November 21, 12 p.m–1:15 p.m

This free event will take place at the CBA Offices (1290 Broadway, Suite 1700). Lunch will be provided. Approved for 1 general credit and .5 ethics CLE credits. Please RSVP to [email protected].

What happens if you represent yourself at a workers compensation hearing?

If you choose to represent yourself at a hearing, you will be held to the same standard as an attorney practicing workers' compensation law and will be expected to have knowledge of the law, rules, and timelines of workers' compensation in this state.

What is a self-represented claimant?

A self-represented (Pro Se) Claimant is an individual who chooses to represent themselves in a legal proceeding without the help of an attorney.

What is the Pro Se Division in Colorado?

The US District Court for the District of Colorado benefits from the assistance of a Pro Se Division staffed by attorneys who provide initial review of all civil cases filed by prisoners, all civil cases filed by non-prisoners who request to proceed in forma pauperis (i .e., without prepayment of the filing fee), all habeas corpus cases except death penalty cases or counseled federal immigration actions, and all requests to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. 2 In recent years, the Pro Se Division reviewed on average one-third of the civil cases filed in the district. The court’s Pro Se Division is supervised by Senior Judge Lewis T. Babcock and Magistrate Judge Gordon P. Gallagher.

What is a pro se clinic?

The Federal Pro Se Clinic (FPSC) opened in June 2018 to provide assistance to individuals who wish to file a civil case or have filed a civil case without a lawyer, or who have been named as a defendant in a civil case filed in federal court and intend to proceed without paid counsel. The clinic is run by the CBA and funded by biannual fees paid by attorneys who are admitted to the bar of the court. The FPSC is led by Project Attorney Leslie Kelly, who is assisted by Program Coordinator Jessica Harner. A small army of attorney volunteers helps handle the FPSC’s work by meeting with pro se litigants to offer guidance on drafting pleadings, the discovery process, and other questions relating to federal civil litigation. The clinic is currently dedicated to non-prisoner litigation and most often assists litigants with civil rights, employment, and personal injury matters.

What is the Standing Committee on Pro Se Litigation?

The Standing Committee on Pro Se Litigation handles general issues relating to pro se litigants and litigation and includes members who are external to the court. 1 The committee’s mission is to oversee the Civil Pro Bono Program, report annually to the court on the status of this program, and promote access to the court by unrepresented parties. Since its formation, the committee has also approved forms for use by prisoner and non-prisoner pro se litigants and helped develop projects that assist the court with pro se litigation, such as the CBA Young Lawyers Division’s “FLAP” program.

What is the faculty of federal advocates?

The Faculty of Federal Advocates has compiled a roster of attorneys who practice full or part-time and are available to serve as mediators in federal lawsuits. 8 Several of these attorneys are also available to serve on a reduced fee or pro bono basis in pro se litigation.

What is a pro bono panel?

The court maintains a list of attorneys and law firms that are willing to accept federal civil cases on a pro bono basis, referred to as the Civil Pro Bono Panel. 3 When a judicial officer enters an order “appointing” pro bono counsel for a pro se litigant, Legal Officer Edward Butler and paralegal Kelsey Montalban contact attorneys on the panel to ask them to consider undertaking pro bono representation in the case. The court’s Local Rules were recently amended to permit limited representation by attorneys in civil cases, including pro se matters. 4

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Colorado?

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school, admission to practice law in state of Colorado, a minimum of five years advising clients on filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection, and no pending or actual censure, suspension, or disbarment in any jurisdiction.

What is a project attorney?

The Project Attorney is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Federal Pro Se Clinic - Bankruptcy (FPSC - Bankruptcy), a Colorado Bar Association (CBA) grant-funded project. The Project Attorney is required to assist in planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring the project’s legal services delivery mechanisms. The Project Attorney will provide limited scope legal advice to individuals filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. In addition, the Attorney will foster and maintain satisfactory relationships with court staff, judges, and volunteer attorneys. This position reports to the Managing Attorney for the Federal Pro Se Clinic.

How long does it take to become a bankruptcy attorney in Colorado?

Position requires a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school, a minimum of five years advising clients on filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection, admission to practice of law in the state of Colorado, and no pending or actual censure, suspension, or disbarment in any jurisdiction.