The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri announced several initiatives today, all designed to provide better assistance and improved understanding of process to indigent and self-represented persons in civil cases. The initiatives include providing better compensation and improved training to attorneys appointed to cases involving self-represented indigent persons, as well as a new program to help self-represented indigent persons with initial case review and filing processes.

NEW INTAKE ASSISTANCE IN JUNE

Beginning in June, the U.S. District Court will partner with the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) to assist self-represented litigants with initial filing form completion and initial case review. BAMSL will recruit and manage a group of volunteer attorneys to help lead this effort.

PRO BONO COUNSEL CLE APRIL 25

The Court will host a free CLE April 25, 2019. The CLE will cover the role of pro bono limited scope counsel at both intake and mediation, the role of pro bono appointed counsel in civil cases generally, and the ethics of pro bono representation. A reception with the Court will be held afterward. Training information will be issued shortly.

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