Pro Bono Opportunities in the Northern District of California

Pro bono representation of parties to civil cases who are unable to afford an attorney is an important responsibility of the bar. Attorneys who are members of the bar of the Northern District have opportunities to represent such parties—both plaintiffs and defendants.

Cases vary greatly and can include employment discrimination, police misconduct, and foreclosure. Along with full-scope representation opportunities, which often include cases ready for trial, some cases need only limited-scope representation, including settlement conferences before Magistrate Judges.

New attorneys are welcome to participate if they are supervised by experienced attorneys who can provide the necessary procedural and substantive guidance. In addition to providing a valuable service to pro se litigants and the Court, many attorneys find that volunteering is a great way to develop federal court experience.

Attorneys taking pro bono cases can get costs reimbursed up to $25,000 and may recover attorney’s fees.

To learn more or to sign up for pro bono representation opportunities in the San Francisco and Oakland divisions of the Court, please contact the Federal Pro Bono Project at fedpro@sfbar.org or 415-782-8982.

To learn more or to sign up for pro bono representation opportunities in the San Jose division of the Court, please contact the Federal Pro Se Program at hsong@asianlawalliance.org or 408-297-1480.

See video below, “What can I do as a pro bono attorney in the Northern District?”