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Pro Bono Opportunities for Attorneys

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has pro bono opportunities available in a number of areas, including prisoner and non-prisoner civil rights cases, Title VII cases, and other discrimination cases.  The court also recruits attorneys for the limited purpose of representing civil pro se litigants in mediations, as well as other limited-scope representations. The court is currently looking for pro bono volunteers for the following cases:

Limited Scope Representation:

  • King v. Gonzalez, 18-cv-744-WCG. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff who alleges that the defendants violated his rights under federal and state law because an earplug broke off in his ear and was left there for several days, resulting in pain and hearing difficulties. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff for the limited purpose of assisting the plaintiff in identifying the Doe defendants. If you would like more information about this case, please contact Jennifer Dudzik at Jennifer_Dudzik@wied.uscourts.gov.

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

  • Staten v. Zimmer, et al., 19-cv-1836-WED. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff who alleges that prison staff violated his constitutional rights by failing to protect him from self-harm, providing inadequate medical care, and retaliating against him for filing inmate complaints. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff in conducting discovery and responding to a motion for summary judgment. If you want more information about this case, please email Allison Cimpl-Wiemer at Allison_Cimpl-Wiemer@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Hampton v. Foster, 19-cv-688-NJ. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff who alleges that the defendants (1) were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs by denying him his prescription medication and (2) failed to protect him by placing him in a cell with a pen insert that he used to harm himself. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff by conducting discovery as needed and by responding to dispositive motions. Please contact Jennifer Dudzik at Jennifer_Dudzik@wied.uscourts.gov for more information about this case.
  • King v. Ankarlo, 17-cv-201-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges the defendants violated his rights by failing to protect him from self-harm and by providing inadequate medical care. The court will re-open discovery if necessary. The attorney would represent the plaintiff in conducting discovery, responding to a motion for summary judgment, pursuing settlement, and at trial, if necessary. If you want more information about this case, please email Taylor Barnes-Gilbert at Taylor_BarnesGilbert@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Love v. G4S Transportation Services, et al., 19-cv-1184-LA. Section 1983. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that unknown G4S drivers recklessly transported him to a medical appointment, causing him to hit his head and suffer a serious head injury. He further alleges that a medical supervisor at his jail failed properly to treat his head injury and refused to send him to a hospital for treatment. Please see Judge Adelman's screening order. The defendants have expressed a willingness to settle without a trial. The attorney would represent the plantiff during possible settlement talks or, if settlement is unsuccessful, for purposes of discovery and through trial. If you would like more information about this case, please email Ryan Melcher at Ryan_Melcher@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Tujibikila v. Naef, et al., 19-cv-192-WCG. Section 1983. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff who alleges that the defendants were deliberately indifferent towards his health and safety when they over-sprayed a chemical irritant during a cell extraction of another inmate. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff by conducting discovery as needed and by responding to dispositive motions. If you want more information about this case, please email Brinda Bair at Brinda_Bair@wied.uscourts.gov.

 Trial:  

  • Walker v. Hernandez, 19-cv-144-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a pre-trial detainee who alleges that a correctional officer used excessive force against him. The plaintiff's claim survived summary judgment. Please see Judge Adelman's summary judgment decision. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial or mediation, depending on the agreement of the parties. If you would like more information about this case, please email Allison Cimpl-Wiemer at Allison_Cimpl-Wiemer@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Williams v. Van Buren, 18-cv-1663-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff who alleges that a psychologist at Waupun Correctional Institution was deliberately indifferent to his serious mental health needs when she failed to stop the plaintiff from injuring himself. The defendant did not seek summary judgment. Discovery is closed and will not be reopened. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial or mediation, depending on the agreement of the parties. Please see the screening order. If you want more information about this case, email Brinda Bair at Brinda_Bair@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Williams v. Blasius, et al., 16-cv-614-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that a nurse practitioner and a doctor at Racine Correctional Institution delayed his treatment for a knee injury and failed to comply with other doctors’ orders regarding his treatment. Summary judgment was granted for all other defendants. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial or mediation, depending on the agreement of the parties. If you want more information about this case, please email Ryan Melcher at Ryan_Melcher@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Dominguez-Torres v. Dittmann, et al., 18-cv-1322-LA. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that a registered nurse at Dodge Correctional Institution was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs. Two defendants were dismissed at summary judgment, but one claim survived against the remaining defendant. Please see Judge Duffin's report and recommendation. Discovery has closed and will not reopen. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial. If you would like more information about this case, please email Ryan Melcher at Ryan_Melcher@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Hunter v. Kast, et al., 18-cv-1727-NJ. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that two correctional officers used excessive force against him. Please see Judge Joseph's screening order. Neither party sought summary judgment on the merits. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at a one- to two-day trial. Mediation is also possible, upon agreement of the parties. If you would like more information about this case, please email Katina Austin at Katina_Austin@wied.uscourts.gov.
  • Maus v. Lade, 17-cv-65-PP. Section 1983 claim. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that a correctional officer conducted improper pat searches. The plaintiff's claim survived summary judgment. Please see Judge Pepper's summary judgment decision. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at a one- to two-day trial. Mediation is also possible, upon agreement of the parties. If you would like more information about this case, please email Katina Austin at Katina_Austin@wied.uscourts.gov.