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Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys

The Eastern District of Wisconsin has pro bono opportunities, primarily in prisoner civil rights cases. The court recruits attorneys for limited purposes, such as representing a civil pro se litigant in mediation, as well as for full representation. Wisconsin SCR 31.05(7) states that an attorney may claim one CLE credit for every five hours of pro bono work, up to six credits per reporting period. Below are the cases that the court is currently recruiting for. For more information on a case, please contact the court's pro se staff attorneys at ProSeStaffAttorneys@wied.uscourts.gov.

The court is currently looking for pro bono volunteers for the following cases:

Mediation Only

  • Washington v. Van Lanen, 22-cv-675-WED. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on an Eighth Amendment claim that the defendant failed to protect the plaintiff from an attack by another prisoner. The lawyer would assist the plaintiff with mediating his claim, including preparing a mediation statement and participating in mediation with the plaintiff, who would likely appear via Zoom. (Recruiting since May 2023)
     
  • Vue v. O'Neill, et al., 22-cv-506-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on an Eighth Amendment claim that the defendants used excessive force against him while attempting to end a physical altercation between the plaintiff and another prisoner. The lawyer would assist the plaintiff with mediating his claim, including preparing a mediation statement and participating in mediation with the plaintiff, who would likely appear via Zoom. If the mediation is unsuccessful, the attorney would have the option (but not the obligation) to remain on the case for trial. (Recruiting since September 2023)

Discovery, Draft/Respond to Dispositive Motions, and Pursue Settlement

  • Hole v. Utter, 22-C-1415-WCG. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist a prisoner in conducting discovery, drafting and/or responding to dispositive motions, and possible trial/settlement in connection with an Eighth Amendment denial of medical care case.  The plaintiff recently underwent several surgeries and is unable to use his hand to complete litigation tasks.  Upon request, the court will consider permitting limited term appointments to complete discrete litigation tasks to make the case more manageable. (Recruiting since June 2023)

  • Eaton v. Doe, 22-cv-1459-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent an incarcerated individual who alleges that the defendants forced him to submit to a blood draw and urine sample, and for collecting the samples without his consent or a court order. The lawyer would identify the Doe defendants, file an amended complaint, engage in discovery and respond to any dispositive motions. Please see Judge Pepper’s screening order for more information. (Recruiting since July 2023)

  • Traxler v. Moore, 22-cv-760-BHL. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent an incarcerated individual who alleges that the defendants were deliberately indifferent to his leg wound, which caused him significant pain and ultimately resulted in the amputation of his lower leg.  Discovery is closed, and the defendants have moved for summary judgment. The lawyer would respond to the defendants' motions. If plaintiff's claim(s) survive summary judgment, the lawyer may, but does not have to, represent the plaintiff at trial. Please see the briefs in support of defendants' summary judgment motions (State Defendants; Dr. Eric Nelson) for more information. (Recruiting since July 2023)

Trial

  • Gonzalez v. Hall, 22-cv-184-SCD. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that the defendant slammed his hand in his cell door in violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. The court also took supplemental jurisdiction over three Wisconsin state law claims--assault and battery; negligent infliction of emtional distress; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawyer would represent the plaintff at trial. (Recruiting since June 2023)

  • Walker v. Serrano, 20-cv-1555-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent an incarcerated individual who alleges that the defendants retaliated against him for filing grievances by interfering with his medication, among other things. The court granted the defendants’ motion for partial summary judgment. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial. Please see Judge Pepper’s summary judgment decision for more information. (Recruiting since August 2023)

  • Famous v. Jezwinski, 20-cv-510-JPS. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent an incarcerated individual who alleges that the defendants were deliberately indifferent to the plaintiff's risk of self-harm and/or suicide, were deliberately indifferent to his serious need for medical treatment, and were negligent for the same conduct. No motion for summary judgment was filed. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial. Please see Judge Stadtmueller's screening order for more information. (Recruiting since September 2023)

  • Webster v. Loehrke, 20-cv-880-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a formerly incarcerated individual who alleges that, due to symptoms from his multiple sclerosis, he fell, hit his head, lost consciousness, experienced severe pain in his legs and groin area and the defendants did not obtain medical care for him, in violation of his rights under the Eighth Amendment and Wisconsin state law. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial and/or mediation. The court granted in part the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Please see Judge Pepper’s summary judgment decision for more information. (Recruiting since September 2023)