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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

  • Harris v. Tritt, et al., 21-cv-1011-WCG. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on an Eighth Amendment claim in connection with allegations that defendant correctional officers placed razor blades in his observation cell with instructions to “carve himself up like a turkey,” resulting in a loss of a portion of his ear.  Defendants have requested mediation.  Please see Judge Griesbach’s decision and order for more information.  

Pleading/Early Litigation

  • Love v. Kuber, 20-cv-1000-LA. The court is looking for a lawyer to assist a prisoner plaintiff in drafting an amended complaint and to represent him through all phases of the litigation. The plaintiff has two closed cases in which he was represented by counsel. The attorney may wish to coordinate with the plaintiff's previous attorney to avoid duplicating claims in this lawsuit.

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

  • Dragisich v. Lazaris et al., 20-cv-1465-SCD. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on a Fourteenth Amendment claim of excessive force against two West Allis police officers. The plaintiff needs assistance with conducting discovery and drafting a response to a summary judgment motion. The deadlines in this case are stayed pending recruitment of a lawyer.
  • Clark v. Moore, 21-cv-832-LA. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on an Eighth Amendment medical care claim and state law medical malpractice claims based on allegations that the defendants continued to prescribe him pain medication that was ineffective and that they delayed in examining him. The plaintiff is also proceeding on an Eighth Amendment claim based on allegations that the Waupun Correctional Institution’s healthcare system is inadequate. Defendants have moved for partial summary judgment. Deadlines are stayed pending the recruitment of a lawyer who would respond to the summary judgment motion and perhaps assist the plaintiff with settlement discussions. Please see Judge Adelman’s screening order for more information.

Trial

  • Blunt v. Lindsay, 21-cv-325-WED. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner plaintiff proceeding on an excessive force claim based on allegations that a Milwaukee Police Department officer injured his hand while booking him into the Criminal Justice Facility. The laywer would represent plaintiff at trial or in possible settlement discussions or mediation. Please see Judge Duffin's summmary judgment decision for more information.

  • Wendricks v. Serres, 20-cv-1189-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner who alleges that police officers’ use of verbal commands, taser deployments, knee strikes, baton and OC spray to take him into custody was excessive because he did not threaten or actively resist the officers. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial or in possible settlement discussions or mediation. Please see Chief Judge Pepper’s summary judgment decision for more information.

  • Spears v. Tyler, 20-cv-894-PP. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a former prisoner who alleges that an officer slammed his head and body against the wall without provocation in the booking area at the Milwaukee County Jail. The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial. Please see Chief Judge Pepper’s summary judgment decision for more information. 

  • Vinson v. DeBruin, 19-cv-1237-BHL. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on Fourth Amendment claims based on allegations that defendant Racine Police Officers used excessive force while arresting him.  The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial. Please see Judge Ludwig's summary judgment decision for more information.  

  • Shepard v. Blozinski, 21-cv-501-WCG. The court is looking for a lawyer to represent a prisoner proceeding on a Fourteenth Amendment claim based on allegations that defendant denied medical care for his infected finger, which resulted in his finger having to be amputated.  The lawyer would represent the plaintiff at trial.  Please see Judge Griesbach's decision and order for more information.