The District of Connecticut’s Civil Pro Bono Panel is governed by Local Rule 83.10.
Please be aware that appointments of counsel in petitions for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2241, motions seeking to set aside or vacate a sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 and all criminal matters are made from the court’s Criminal Justice Act panel.
Reminder: Under the Court's new Local Rule 83.10, which was recently approved by the Second Circuit Judicial Council, appointments of counsel in civil pro bono cases will be made automatically and electronically whenever the presiding judge enters an order approving the appointment of pro bono counsel for an unrepresented litigant. Newly appointed counsel will receive an email providing notice of the appointment. Please see the new rule for details.
Seeking Volunteers! In addition to making other changes, the Court's new Local Rule 83.10 regarding appointments of pro bono counsel creates a new Volunteer Panel of attorneys. The Court will look first to the list of Volunteer Panel attorneys when making appointments for indigent litigants in civil cases. Especially for newer lawyers, this could be a great opportunity to get on your feet and speak in the courtroom. If you are interested in being a member of the District of Connecticut's Volunteer Panel, please send an email to the Clerk's office at ProBono@ctd.uscourts.gov including your name, address, telephone number, District Court bar number, and email address. Please see the new rule for details.
Any questions regarding the pro bono panel may be directed to Melissa Ruocco, Division Manager, at ProBono@ctd.uscourts.gov.