Courtroom Opportunities for attorneys have declined across the nation in recent years. To help counter this trend, and to encourage lawyers to practice in the federal courts, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois is announcing the availability of a new service to appoint counsel for indigent pro se parties in certain civil cases.

To facilitate this Plan for the Appointment of Counsel for Indigent Parties in Certain Civil Cases the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois will be hosting a free training seminar on FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. The seminar will be held at the U.S. District Court, 600 East Monroe Street, Springfield, IL in Courtroom I. Attorneys James P. Chapman and Alan Mills will discuss how to handle prisoner civil rights litigation and be available in person to answer your questions. This training is open to practicing attorneys interested in accepting pro bono appointments in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

The seminar is expected to last until mid afternoon. MCLE credit of five hours has been applied for, including 0.50 hours for ethics/professionalism. The training is free and lunch will be served at the Courthouse.

Attorneys are also encouraged to view on-line lectures presented by Mr. Chapman at www.illinoislegaladvocate.org (Under "Legal Resources" the "Prisoners' Rights"). In addition to the on-line lectures, participants are encouraged to print out and review before the seminar, the Prison Litigation Handboook.

Mr. Chapman's services include substantive and procedural questions (both legal and practical) and dealing with the client. His services will be available to you free of charge as long as you have a current appointment on a prisoner case in this district. More information about Mr. Chapman's services will be available at the seminar.

Counsel interested in being considered for pro bono appointment will be able to sign up through the Court's new on-line Pro Bono registration form.

To register for this training, please contact:

Clerk of Court, Pam Robinson at (217) 492-4707 or Pam_Robinson@ilcd.uscourts.gov

Pro Bono Coordinator, Denise Koester at (309) 671-7200 or Denise_Koester@ilcd.uscourts.gov