U.S. Department
of Justice
Federal Government Pro Bono Program Volunteer Guide: Colorado
- Dear Colleagues Letter
- Frequently Asked Questions about Engaging in Pro Bono Activities as a Federal Government Employee
- Legal Services Organizations
Welcome to the Federal Government Pro Bono Program! Thank you for your interest in using your legal skills to better your community and fulfill your professional duties through pro bono activities. We hope we can help you find an appropriate opportunity with which to get involved.
This Pro Bono Volunteer Guide provides easy access to information about the rules governing federal employees’ engagement in pro bono activities, as well as descriptions of numerous local legal services organizations that regularly offer pro bono opportunities that are generally appropriate for federal government attorneys and legal staff, in that they are generally free of conflicts of interest and offer substantial resources that will help you to succeed. Because each federal agency has its own regulations and procedures, it is important that you discuss any pro bono project with your agency’s pro bono coordinator or ethics officer before starting to volunteer. Many agencies have a specific pro bono policy that can guide you through these rules and any approval procedures that may be required.
Throughout the year, our program offers events and activities to assist you, including trainings to prepare you to volunteer, opportunities where federal attorneys and legal staff members can volunteer together, and information sessions on various topics relevant to pro bono practice. If you would like to get involved in the development of these ideas or have questions about pro bono activities generally, please contact the Federal Government Pro Bono Program at probono@usdoj.gov.
For decades, federal government attorneys and legal staff have been active in outside pro bono work. We look forward to working with you to carry on this powerful tradition of volunteering our legal skills.
Sincerely,
Pro Bono Program Manager
Federal Government Pro Bono Program
Frequently Asked Questions about Engaging in Pro Bono Activities as a Federal Government Employee
Get answers to some of the frequently asked questions about federal government attorneys and legal staff doing pro bono work. Find information on definitions and limitations, use of positions and agency resources, conflicts of interest, and more.
Legal Services Organizations
The following legal services organizations have been screened by the Federal Government Pro Bono Program and have been determined to offer pro bono opportunities that are generally appropriate for federal government attorneys and legal staff.
- Individual volunteers are still responsible for seeking approval to participate from their agencies, including any necessary review for conflicts of interest.
- Employees should remember that they are prohibited from acting as an agent or attorney for any person before any agency, department, or court in any matter in which the United States has a direct and substantial interest.
- Employees also should understand that they are acting in their individual capacities and not as representatives of their agencies and should act accordingly in all pro bono work.
- Federal government attorneys may not ask support staff colleagues to assist them with their pro bono matters. If you are a federal government attorney and would like to request assistance, or are a support staff member interested in assisting with pro bono matters, contact the Federal Government Pro Bono Program at probono@usdoj.gov.
- The Federal Government Pro Bono Program does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed and is not responsible for the content of the organizations’ linked websites.
Colorado Bar Association Pro Bono Programs
The Colorado Bar Association encourages members to engage in volunteer opportunities that positively affect communities and the Association itself. The following programs are designed to provide legal services to the public, public legal education, and professional development and networking opportunities to its members.
Opportunities Offered
Legal Fee Arbitration Program – Volunteer attorneys serve as arbitrators and committee members that review these cases to resolve fee disputes among lawyers practicing in Colorado and their clients, at no cost to the participants. The committee determines disputes involving attorney’s fees, expert fees advanced by an attorney, and costs, pursuant to applicable arbitration law. Services of the Committee shall be available to all persons, firms and corporations who are or have been represented by an attorney practicing in Colorado. All cases are handled virtually. If interested, contact Bradley Koenig at bkoenig@cobar.org.
Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic – Volunteer attorneys assist Veterans with various legal issues during this monthly walk-in clinic. Attorneys provide legal advice and information on topics including veteran’s housing, criminal, and family law. The clinics are held once a month in Denver and Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs Clinic is held from 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Outpatient Clinic, 3141 Centennial Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80907. The Denver Clinic is held from 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM on the second Tuesday of the month at the VA Community Resource and Referral Center, 3836 York Street, Denver, CO, 80205. If interested, contact Bradley Koenig at bkoenig@cobar.org. NOTE: Federal government attorneys should not provide legal assistance on matters concerning veterans’ benefits or status issues. These issues pose conflicts of interest.
Appellate Pro Bono Program – Volunteer attorneys provide full representation to pro bono clients with civil appeals, including domestic and family law matters, before the Colorado Court of Appeals or Colorado Supreme Court. The program does not assist with criminal, post-conviction, prisoner discipline, habeas corpus, ballot title, or elections appeals. Pro bono clients must apply to participate in this program and must meet the financial eligibility requirements. If interested, contact Katrina Silbaq at ksilbaq@cobar.org.
Civil Appeals Clinic – Volunteer attorneys provide limited scope representation to clients at a monthly clinic. The clinic is held every Third Thursday of the month in person at the Alfred J. Araj Courthouse in Denver, as well as virtually. Volunteer attorneys are paired with a client during the clinic to assist with a civil appeal. The program does not assist with criminal, post-conviction, prisoner discipline, habeas corpus, ballot title, or elections appeals. There is no financial eligibility requirement for clients to attend the clinic. If interested, contact Katrina Silbaq at ksilbaq@cobar.org. Note: The Civil Appeals Clinic is considered a representational opportunity, and would require agency approval in advance for this limited scope type of representation.
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
Yes.
Training and Mentoring
The CBA can pair government attorneys with experienced attorneys in the subject-matter area to provide mentoring. It also provides, through the CBA-CLE program, a wide range of continuing legal education courses relevant to its pro bono programs.
Other Resources
CBA offices will allow attorneys to reserve rooms to meet with clients.
Contact
1290 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 860-1115, Ext. 1
https://www.cobar.org/probono
Colorado Legal Services
Colorado Legal Services is a non-profit corporation that has assisted persons with low income and seniors in the State of Colorado for almost 100 years. The mission of Colorado Legal Services is to provide meaningful access to high quality civil legal services, in the pursuit of justice for as many low-income persons and members of vulnerable populations throughout Colorado as possible.
Opportunities Offered
Direct Representation: Colorado Legal Services offers opportunities for representation in Consumer, Family, Housing Rights and Homeless, and Health and Elderly law. Colorado Legal Services assigns the cases based on the pro bono attorney’s interest and the client’s need. Colorado Legal Services provides training when appropriate, depending upon the needs of the client and the skills of the volunteer legal professional. In addition, experienced practitioners in each of the referral areas serve as mentors to all pro bono attorneys.
Denver Eviction Defense Program: Colorado Legal Services and the Colorado Poverty Law Clinic collaborate to provide eviction defense services for qualified families to help those facing eviction stay housed or reduce the barriers for evicted tenants to find future housing.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities: See CLS’s website for a wide array of new projects and volunteer opportunities for attorneys and paralegals: https://www.coloradolegalservices.org/node/6/support-colorado-attorneys-working-pro-bono-cases
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
Yes.
Training
Colorado Legal Services provides CLE trainings and training manuals to pro bono attorneys for all opportunities. New pro bono attorneys may shadow experienced pro bono attorneys before working on their own. The supervising attorney on staff also does one-on-one training with pro bono attorneys, and is on-site during clinics to assist.
Contact
1905 Sherman Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
http://www.coloradolegalservices.org
Contact: Gail Lorenz at (303) 866-9320
Denver University Pro Bono Wills Program
The Denver Pro Bono Wills Program provides federal attorneys the opportunity to represent low-income clients in the Denver area with the preparation and execution of wills and medical powers of attorney on a pro bono basis. While their estates are not large, clients may have non-traditional or estranged family structures that do not match the laws of intestacy, so wills and other documents are needed to help ensure that clients’ wishes are carried out. The University of Denver (DU) Wills Lab offers a clinic for DU law students to assist low-income residents with wills and other end-of-life documents. When the Wills Lab has more clients than student volunteers, or when DU is not in session, federal attorneys can step in to assist clients with wills and medical powers of attorney.
Opportunities Offered
Direct representation: Direct solo representation of clients from all over the Denver metropolitan area referred by the DU Wills Lab, for preparation of wills and powers of attorney. Most engagements are for less than 10 hours and can be completed in a few days.
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
Malpractice insurance is provided through DU.
Training
CLE trainings conducted by Prof. Lucy Marsh, Director of the DU Wills Lab, are held at DU law school to train federal attorneys on the requirements of Colorado estate law.
Other Resources
Federal attorneys receive templates and form documents and Prof. Marsh is available to assist with questions, offer guidance, and help with scheduling notaries.
Attorneys who are interested in being part of this program should contact Professor Lucy Marsh at Lucy.Marsh@du.edu.
Contact
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
1155 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80208
Contact: Professor Lucy Marsh, Lucy.Marsh@du.edu
(303) 871-6790 (general Wills Lab line)
(303) 871-6285 (Professor Marsh’s direct line; unavailable during school vacation times)
Disability Law Colorado
Disability Law Colorado (DLC) is a non-profit organization that serves as the state’s federally mandated Protection & Advocacy organization. DLC provides self-advocacy, information and referrals, training, and legal representation related to disability rights. DLC also educates state and local policymakers and monitors entities where people with disabilities live and/or receive services. In accordance with federal statutes, DLC also has authority to conduct investigations of abuse and/or neglect involving people with disabilities. Substantive areas covered by DLC include abuse and neglect, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, access to services in elementary and secondary school, and ensuring that individuals with disabilities are integrated into the community as much as possible.
Opportunities Offered
The organization provides opportunities in the following areas of law: special education, housing, employment, public accommodations, and correctional settings.
Does the organization provide malpractice insurance?
Yes.
Training
This organization provides training and technical assistance in all areas of disability law for anyone interested in learning more about disability law, rights, and policy development.
Other Resources
Use of the organization’s space is limited, but permitted.
Contact
455 Sherman St. #130, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 722-0300
Contact: dlcmail@disabilitylawco.org
Federal Limited Appearance Program (FLAP)
The Federal Limited Appearance Program (FLAP) is a volunteer driven program developed by the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and the Colorado Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (CBA YLD), in coordination with the existing Federal Pro Bono Panel and the Faculty of Federal Advocates. It is designed to bridge the gap between the limited scope, out-of-court services provided by the Federal Pro Se Clinic and the full-scope pro bono representation facilitated by the Civil Pro Bono Panel. Specifically, FLAP aims to address the difficulty pro se parties in civil litigation oftentimes face in dealing with procedural and other non-dispositive issues in “real time” during a court appearance by providing those litigants with limited representation by a volunteer attorney before, during, and/or immediately after scheduled appearances in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Opportunities Offered
Limited Appearances in Federal Court, such as:
- Scheduling Conferences
- Status Conferences
- Discovery Conferences and other Non-Dispositive Hearings
- Final Pretrial Conferences
- Settlement Conferences
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
Yes, malpractice insurance is provided by the Faculty of Federal Advocates.
Training
Orientation Webinar offered by CBA YLD. Forms and additional resources can be found on the CBA YLD Website.
CLE Credit
2 CLE Credits for Orientation in addition to the CLE credit available (1 CLE hour per 5 hours of pro bono, including prep; 9 credits maximum per compliance period)
Contact
Colorado Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
1290 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, CO
Jess Ham: 303-860-1115
Federal Pro Se Clinic
The Federal Pro Se Clinic provides limited scope civil matter legal assistance to non-prisoner pro se parties in U.S. District Court. This program is a partnership between Colorado Bar Association and the U.S. District Court as part of the U.S. District Court’s Limited Scope Representation initiative. The clinic is available to pro se participants by appointment, at the clinic located next to the Clerk’s office on main floor of the courthouse.
Opportunities Offered
Limited Scope Legal Assistance: Limited scope assistance includes advice and counsel regarding court procedure and rules, pleadings, discovery, and motions. Volunteer attorneys do not represent pro se litigants in court, mediation, or status conferences; or draft/ghostwrite pleadings or briefs. Litigants enter into a written agreement with the Clinic consenting to the limited scope of the Clinic’s representation. Shifts are one or two hours long (litigant appointments are 45 minutes). The majority of appointments are held via telephone. A zoom and in-person options are also available.
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
The Colorado Bar Association provides malpractice insurance coverage.
Training
Prep materials are provided in advance (parties, docket sheet, background information), and a Project Attorney is on-site for any questions.
Contact
Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse
901 19th Street, Denver, CO
Matthew Skeen, mskeen@cobar.org, 303-824-5395, (general federal civil)
https://www.cobar.org/fpsc
Mark Larson, mlarson@cobar.org, 720-633-8866, (bankruptcy)
https://www.cobar.org/bankruptcy
Metro Volunteer Lawyers
Metro Volunteer Lawyers (MVL) is the pro bono program of the Denver Bar Association, in collaboration with the Adams/Broomfield, Arapahoe, Douglas/Elbert, and 1st Judicial District Bar Associations. MVL recruits and coordinates volunteer lawyers to perform free legal services for those in need who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line on a variety of civil legal issues, including family law, elder law, probate, consumer and financial, bankruptcy, public benefits, and housing. MVL works closely with Colorado Legal Services, which provides MVL’s intake service. Virtual and in-person opportunities are available.
Opportunities Offered
Family Law Court Program (FLCP) (for attorneys and paralegals): Assist clients with uncomplicated, uncontested family law matters. FLCP clients represent themselves (pro se) but are guided through the process by MVL. This is done in 2 parts:
- Client Meetings: attorneys and paralegals assist with completing paperwork to file a dissolution of marriage or allocation of parental responsibilities case; and
- Permanent Orders Hearings: volunteer attorneys help prepare the final paperwork required and represent clients at the uncontested court hearing.
Volunteer sessions are 2-4 hours, and the volunteers’ representation ends at the conclusion of the clinic. No experience is necessary.
Family Law Advice & Guidance (experienced family law attorneys): Volunteer for 1-3 hours by providing unbundled consultations to pro se parties with pre- or post-decree divorce or parental responsibilities cases by focusing on early resolution and problem-solving. Volunteer opportunities can be virtual or in-person at a courthouse in a county we serve.
Denver Indian Center Clinic (attorneys and paralegals): Walk-in clinic held at the Denver Indian Center on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 pm aimed at helping Native Americans in need of legal services. Volunteers help with resource referral, understanding the legal process, and how to proceed as a pro se party. Legal issues may involve federal Indian law, but usually vary between family law, property law, criminal law, and other civil legal issues.
Estate Planning Program (attorneys and paralegals): MVL partners with low-income senior centers to help clients complete various advance planning documents. The documents include: last will and testament, medical power of attorney, financial/general durable power of attorney, advance health care directive, and/or a HIPAA release. Volunteers meet with clients after they were educated about the documents and use InterActive Legal software to complete the documents. No experience is necessary.
Mediation Program (mediators): Volunteer mediators provide pro-bono mediation to applicants in one of MVL’s other programs. Volunteers must have completed a 40-hour mediation course, have conducted three mediations, and agree to comply with the Colorado Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators.
Direct representation (attorneys): Direct representation of clients from the Denver metropolitan area in various areas of civil law.
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
Yes.
Training
Periodic training sessions providing an overview of relevant law are available. MVL supervises the clinics and allows attorneys to shadow. MVL can provide mentoring attorneys to assist with referral cases. Other
Resources
MVL offers office space for client meetings.
Contact
1905 Sherman Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 830-8210
https://www.denbar.org/mvl
Contact: mvl@denbar.org
U.S. District Court Civil Pro Bono Panel
The U.S. District Court’s Local Attorney Rule 15 - Civil Pro Bono Representation implements the court's Civil Pro Bono Panel plan, a program consisting of volunteer attorneys serving on a panel who are willing to represent individuals of limited financial means (not strictly limited to the “indigent”) in civil matters whenever requested by the Court. To date, 284 combined individual lawyers and law firms have joined the Panel, and almost 376 cases (for both plaintiff and defendant pro se parties) have had counsel appointed and litigated to a conclusion, including at least 25 trials or evidentiary hearings.
Opportunities Offered
Direct representation: Direct representation of clients following assignment by court, acceptance by volunteer attorney, and appointment by court on types of cases/causes of action specified by volunteer attorney. Cases available include civil rights, employment discrimination, diversity civil cases, and more. Limited representation for discrete tasks, such as amending complaints and conducting settlement conferences, is also available.
Does the organization offer malpractice insurance?
The Faculty of Federal Advocates offers malpractice insurance coverage. Attorneys must request coverage, please contact the Faculty of Federal Advocates to enroll.
Training
Seminars and training programs, including a biennial in-service training session for pro bono counsel, is conducted. Advice and guidance are available from experienced counsel.
Other Resources
Forms, sample documents, training guides, and other materials are available to attorneys. The Faculty of Federal Advocates offers reimbursement funding for costs incurred by counsel (not fees). PACER document viewing and printing fees are waived
Contact
Clerk’s Office, Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse, Room A105, 901 19th Street, Denver, CO 80294-3589
(303) 355-2466
https://www.cod.uscourts.gov/AttorneyInformation/CivilProBonoPanel-Details,andAvailableCases.aspx
Contact: COD_AttorneyServices@cod.uscourts.gov