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Pro Bono Information

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona Announces Creation of Pro Bono Attorney Panel

In honor of National Pro Bono Week, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona is pleased to announce the creation of a panel of volunteer pro bono attorneys to advise and represent indigent parties. The program will be administered by the Bankruptcy Court with support and assistance from the Bankruptcy Section of the State Bar and the Volunteers Lawyer Program of Community Legal Services.

The Pro Bono Panel will provide consultation and representation to pro se parties, either debtor or creditor, in "discrete adversary proceedings and contested matters." To be eligible, individuals must have incomes 250% of the poverty level or below. The Panel is designed to complement the existing resources available to pro se parties at the Self Help Center at the Bankruptcy Court. The program will be strictly limited to representation in adversary proceedings and contested matters- matters that demand the kind of litigation skills pro se parties lack.

Bankruptcy judges will identify matters in which a pro se party appears to qualify for the program and would benefit from representation. When a matter is identified, the pro se party would complete an application form. The Pro Bono Advisory Committee will screen the applicants to determine if they meet income and other program guidelines.

The Pro Bono Panel is entirely voluntary. Panel members will never be required to accept representation in a particular matter, may decline representation because of a conflict of interest or for any other reason, and will have the opportunity to meet the pro se party prior to acceptance of representation.

In early 2013, Bankruptcy Court Judges will present a free CLE on common adversary and contested legal issues to Panel volunteers. To volunteer for this important program, simply contact Tami Johnson via the link below.. For more information, contact: Tami Johnson, Pro Se Law Clerk at 602.682.4010 or email tami_johnson@azb.uscourts.gov.