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The Indiana Pro Bono Network is a centralized platform that connects attorneys with pro bono opportunities offered by civil legal aid organizations across the state. Supported by The Indiana Bar Foundation and Pro Bono Indiana, and powered by Paladin, this platform streamlines the process of engaging in pro bono work. Attorneys can easily browse and accept available cases and volunteer opportunities with just a few clicks, making it simpler than ever to serve communities in need and fulfill professional service goals.

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What is “pro bono service”?

The phrase “pro bono” is short for the phrase “pro bono publico,” which means “for the public good.” It can refer to the gratis provision of any type of professional service, but is typically understood to mean attorneys using their legal training and skills to improve society without expectation of payment.

The concept of donating our skills is so important that it has been incorporated into Indiana’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The preamble to these Rules reminds us that:

  • A lawyer should be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance. Therefore, all lawyers should devote professional time and resources and use civic influence to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel.

This directive is also the basis of Rule 6.1, which encourages all attorneys to render “public interest legal service,” and to “provide uncompensated legal assistance to poor persons.”

Why do we need attorneys to do pro bono?

The 2019 Indiana Civil Legal Needs Study and Legal Aid System Scan found that Indiana’s legal aid providers were able to provide full representation to only about 20% of all eligible applicants, with another 25% receiving limited advice or services, and 10.4% referred to pro bono attorneys. The rest received the most basic of help, such as an advice letter, directions to a clinic, or links to self-help materials.

Those numbers are just the people who actually applied for assistance. The same study estimated that only 25% of Hoosiers with a legal need take action and seek legal assistance for that need, and that 96% of all civil legal problems experienced by low-income Hoosier households are not served at all by Indiana’s civil legal aid system.

Why do pro bono?

Pro bono not only serves Hoosiers who can’t afford legal services, it also benefits the courts, the attorney providing the services, and society as a whole.

  • It’s good for the clients. Having a pro bono attorney significantly improves outcomes for clients and their families. For tenants, getting advice and counsel from an attorney greatly increases the chances of delaying or avoiding eviction.1 For domestic violence survivors, having an attorney stand between them and their abuser can relieve some of their fear, and help them break the cycle of abuse for themselves and their children. For immigrants facing the possibility of deportation or removal, getting help with creating a safety plan can ensure that their children and assets remain protected. For seniors, having a basic estate plan prepared by a volunteer attorney can avoid an unnecessary and contentious guardianship.
  • It’s good for the court system. Approximately 25% of all civil cases filed in Indiana have at least one unrepresented party.1 This percentage is even higher in the areas of domestic relations, small claims, debt collection, guardianships, and criminal expungements. 2 Courts report that unrepresented parties tend to require more court assistance, have trouble following court rules, cause unwelcome delays, and clog the court’s docket with more contested hearings. 3 Having more volunteer attorneys available to help “clear the clutter” would go a long way towards greater court efficiency.
  • It’s good for society. Providing pro bono services helps bridge the divide between those with the means to afford legal services and those who don’t. Helping people obtain child support, avoid default judgments, or recover unpaid wages can also help them avoid or reduce reliance on public welfare programs. Doing presentations about legal rights and responsibilities to students and communities can prevent costly legal mistakes in the future.
  • It’s good for you. Doing pro bono develops professional skills, particularly interviewing, writing, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy. Clinics give attorneys a chance to interact with and learn from people from a variety of backgrounds, and to gain exposure to a wider range of subject areas. Volunteering can also create a sense of personal satisfaction, and remind attorneys why they decided to become lawyers.
Does Indiana require pro bono service?

There is no requirement for Indiana attorneys to do pro bono; the only requirement is for attorneys to report their pro bono activities to the Indiana Supreme Court each year.

Attorneys are, however, highly encouraged to contribute 50 hours of pro bono service (or comparable financial contribution) annually.

What type of work qualifies as pro bono service?

Attorneys can discharge their responsibility to do public interest legal service by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means, public service groups, and/or charitable groups or organizations; participating in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession; and financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

The comments to Rule 6.1 also ask attorneys to provide free or reduced fee services in the areas of “poverty law, civil rights law, charitable organization representation and the administration of justice.” This broad definition of “pro bono service” offers attorneys and other legal professionals a wide range of potential opportunities to be of service to those who need, but can’t afford, legal services or information.

What legal services won’t qualify as pro bono service?

To be “pro bono service,” the work must be performed with no expectation of payment at the time the service is provided. Work billed to clients who don’t pay, hours written off after the service was performed, or contingency fee arrangements where nothing is recovered are not considered “pro bono,” because the work was performed with the understanding that the attorney would be compensated for their work.

Does this mean I can’t be paid at all for doing pro bono work?

Not necessarily. There are two ways an attorney can be paid for doing “pro bono” work. First, if an attorney charges less than one-half of their current market rates to an individual reasonably believed to be of limited means, then the representation is still considered “pro bono” for reporting purposes.

Second, if an attorney accepts a case with no expectation of payment, but a court later orders another party to pay some or all of the pro bono attorney’s fees, the attorney is allowed to accept those fees for their services and still consider their services “pro bono.” Of course, Rule 6.1 encourages attorneys to donate an “appropriate” portion of those fees to an organization or project that serves low-income persons.

What are the reporting requirements for pro bono service?

Pursuant to Rule 6.7, every attorney licensed in Indiana – unless categorically exempted – must report certain information regarding their prior year’s pro bono activities during the annual attorney registration process.

What types of pro bono activities are reportable under Rule 6.7?

Not all activities that qualify as “pro bono” under Rule 6.1 qualify as “reportable” under 6.7. The only activities that have to be reported are:

  • Legal services provided “directly” to persons of limited means, either for free or for a fee less than 50% of the attorney’s “normal” hourly rates; and
  • Financial or in-kind donations to qualified organizations that serve persons of limited means, or that provide financial support to organizations that directly serve persons of limited means.

In contrast, activities intended to improve the law, the legal system, and/or the legal profession, or legal services provided to an organization rather than an individual, would not be considered direct services to an individual, and therefore are not reportable under Rule 6.7, even though they meet the definition of pro bono under Rule 6.1.

What is “pro bono service”?

The phrase “pro bono” is short for the phrase “pro bono publico,” which means “for the public good.” It can refer to the gratis provision of any type of professional service, but is typically understood to mean attorneys using their legal training and skills to improve society without expectation of payment.

The concept of donating our skills is so important that it has been incorporated into Indiana’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The preamble to these Rules reminds us that:

  • A lawyer should be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance. Therefore, all lawyers should devote professional time and resources and use civic influence to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel.

This directive is also the basis of Rule 6.1, which encourages all attorneys to render “public interest legal service,” and to “provide uncompensated legal assistance to poor persons.”

Why do we need attorneys to do pro bono?

The 2019 Indiana Civil Legal Needs Study and Legal Aid System Scan found that Indiana’s legal aid providers were able to provide full representation to only about 20% of all eligible applicants, with another 25% receiving limited advice or services, and 10.4% referred to pro bono attorneys. The rest received the most basic of help, such as an advice letter, directions to a clinic, or links to self-help materials.

Those numbers are just the people who actually applied for assistance. The same study estimated that only 25% of Hoosiers with a legal need take action and seek legal assistance for that need, and that 96% of all civil legal problems experienced by low-income Hoosier households are not served at all by Indiana’s civil legal aid system.

Why do pro bono?

Pro bono not only serves Hoosiers who can’t afford legal services, it also benefits the courts, the attorney providing the services, and society as a whole.

  • It’s good for the clients. Having a pro bono attorney significantly improves outcomes for clients and their families. For tenants, getting advice and counsel from an attorney greatly increases the chances of delaying or avoiding eviction.1 For domestic violence survivors, having an attorney stand between them and their abuser can relieve some of their fear, and help them break the cycle of abuse for themselves and their children. For immigrants facing the possibility of deportation or removal, getting help with creating a safety plan can ensure that their children and assets remain protected. For seniors, having a basic estate plan prepared by a volunteer attorney can avoid an unnecessary and contentious guardianship.
  • It’s good for the court system. Approximately 25% of all civil cases filed in Indiana have at least one unrepresented party.1 This percentage is even higher in the areas of domestic relations, small claims, debt collection, guardianships, and criminal expungements. 2 Courts report that unrepresented parties tend to require more court assistance, have trouble following court rules, cause unwelcome delays, and clog the court’s docket with more contested hearings. 3 Having more volunteer attorneys available to help “clear the clutter” would go a long way towards greater court efficiency.
  • It’s good for society. Providing pro bono services helps bridge the divide between those with the means to afford legal services and those who don’t. Helping people obtain child support, avoid default judgments, or recover unpaid wages can also help them avoid or reduce reliance on public welfare programs. Doing presentations about legal rights and responsibilities to students and communities can prevent costly legal mistakes in the future.
  • It’s good for you. Doing pro bono develops professional skills, particularly interviewing, writing, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy. Clinics give attorneys a chance to interact with and learn from people from a variety of backgrounds, and to gain exposure to a wider range of subject areas. Volunteering can also create a sense of personal satisfaction, and remind attorneys why they decided to become lawyers.
Does Indiana require pro bono service?

There is no requirement for Indiana attorneys to do pro bono; the only requirement is for attorneys to report their pro bono activities to the Indiana Supreme Court each year.

Attorneys are, however, highly encouraged to contribute 50 hours of pro bono service (or comparable financial contribution) annually.

What type of work qualifies as pro bono service?

Attorneys can discharge their responsibility to do public interest legal service by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means, public service groups, and/or charitable groups or organizations; participating in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession; and financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

The comments to Rule 6.1 also ask attorneys to provide free or reduced fee services in the areas of “poverty law, civil rights law, charitable organization representation and the administration of justice.” This broad definition of “pro bono service” offers attorneys and other legal professionals a wide range of potential opportunities to be of service to those who need, but can’t afford, legal services or information.

What legal services won’t qualify as pro bono service?

To be “pro bono service,” the work must be performed with no expectation of payment at the time the service is provided. Work billed to clients who don’t pay, hours written off after the service was performed, or contingency fee arrangements where nothing is recovered are not considered “pro bono,” because the work was performed with the understanding that the attorney would be compensated for their work.

Does this mean I can’t be paid at all for doing pro bono work?

Not necessarily. There are two ways an attorney can be paid for doing “pro bono” work. First, if an attorney charges less than one-half of their current market rates to an individual reasonably believed to be of limited means, then the representation is still considered “pro bono” for reporting purposes.

Second, if an attorney accepts a case with no expectation of payment, but a court later orders another party to pay some or all of the pro bono attorney’s fees, the attorney is allowed to accept those fees for their services and still consider their services “pro bono.” Of course, Rule 6.1 encourages attorneys to donate an “appropriate” portion of those fees to an organization or project that serves low-income persons.

What are the reporting requirements for pro bono service?

Pursuant to Rule 6.7, every attorney licensed in Indiana – unless categorically exempted – must report certain information regarding their prior year’s pro bono activities during the annual attorney registration process.

What types of pro bono activities are reportable under Rule 6.7?

Not all activities that qualify as “pro bono” under Rule 6.1 qualify as “reportable” under 6.7. The only activities that have to be reported are:

  • Legal services provided “directly” to persons of limited means, either for free or for a fee less than 50% of the attorney’s “normal” hourly rates; and
  • Financial or in-kind donations to qualified organizations that serve persons of limited means, or that provide financial support to organizations that directly serve persons of limited means.

In contrast, activities intended to improve the law, the legal system, and/or the legal profession, or legal services provided to an organization rather than an individual, would not be considered direct services to an individual, and therefore are not reportable under Rule 6.7, even though they meet the definition of pro bono under Rule 6.1.

As a government lawyer who is not employed by the courts or judicial officers, am I prohibited by the Rules of Professional Conduct from engaging in pro bono work? 

No. There may be some limitations on the types of pro bono and access to justice work you may do because of your specific role and any potential conflicts of interest, but government lawyers are not generally prohibited from doing pro bono work (See, Conflict of Interest Rules generally, RPC 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,1.10, and 1.11). Further, some government employers may limit the scope of pro bono work that you might be able to do or otherwise impose restrictions on legal work beyond that of the government client or the government office employer.

Note: Restricting pro bono work of government lawyers may infringe on attorneys’ rights of free speech and association. But see Garcetti v. Caballos 547 U.S. 410 (2006) (holding that when speaking as a public employee and pursuant to official duties, public employees’ speech has no First Amendment protection; however, a citizen who works for the government is still a citizen and, as such, has First Amendment rights that cannot be limited, incidentally or intentionally, by a government employer).

As a government lawyer who is a judge or court officer or employed by the courts or judicial officers, am I prohibited by the Rules of Professional Conduct or the Code of Judicial Conduct from engaging in pro bono work?

There are limitations on your ability to provide pro bono legal services due to the additional limitations of extra-judicial activities of officers and staff of Indiana courts. For example, the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct limits the extrajudicial activities of all court officers ( Ind. CJC 3.1 ) and requires the judge’s staff to act consistently with the judge’s obligations under the Code (Ind. CJC 2.12). Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC 3.10) specifically prohibits judges from practicing law with very narrow exceptions. As a judicial officer or a member of court staff, you should always check with your judge or court about practicing law outside of your government employment before commencing such work.

As a government lawyer, am I exempt from the responsibility to provide pro bono legal assistance under Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC) 6.1? 

No. RPC 6.1 provides no blanket exemption from the responsibility to provide pro bono legal assistance for government lawyers. Indeed, Indiana faces a critical shortage of attorneys and legal resources to provide legal service and access to civil legal resources to underserved individuals and communities. There are many service opportunities for government lawyers that can addresses these needs in varied, important, and manageable situations and contexts. 

What types of pro bono work meet the pro bono legal assistance guidelines listed under Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC) 6.1? 

RPC 6.1 identifies the following ways to carry out our pro bono responsibilities:

  • Providing professional legal services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations
  • Providing service in activities for improving the law, the legal system, or the legal profession
  • Providing financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means

The Comment to RPC 6.1 provides that service under this rule includes work provided without fee or at substantially reduced fee in several areas, which include:

  • Poverty law – work for a client who does not have the financial resources to compensate counsel;
  • Civil rights law – representation of the right of an individual that society has a special interest in protecting;
  • Public rights law – legal representation involving an important right belonging to a significant segment of the public;
  • Charitable organization representation – meaning representation of a charitable, religious, civic, governmental and educational institution on a matter in furtherance of the organization’s purpose where payment of customary legal fees would significantly deplete an organization’s economic resources or otherwise be inappropriate;

The Final Report of the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future (July 1, 2025) makes numerous recommendations regarding solutions to address the lawyer shortage in our state: supporting and growing the legal profession, creating and supporting undergraduate to law school pipelines, and establishing mentorships around the practice of law and the legal profession.

  • Administration of justice – activity designed to increase the availability of legal representation or improve the administration of justice;
If I work to support other lawyers’ pro bono efforts, would that work qualify as pro bono work?

Examples of pro bono adjacent work that would qualify as pro bono work include:

  • Hours spent doing legal research or drafting for a case in which you, as a government lawyer, would be prohibited from filing an appearance in court
  • Hours spent helping to plan, organize or set up a pro bono clinic
  • Hours spent on preparing training for pro bono opportunities or taking such training (both as the lawyer/teacher and the lawyer/learner)

An example of pro bono adjacent work that would not count as pro bono work would be drafting an office policy on pro bono work. Such work would be a part of your work responsibilities and therefore would not be counted as pro bono work.

I manage a legal office of government lawyers, should my office have a policy regarding pro bono work?  

Yes. Government lawyers face some distinct issues regarding pro bono and access to justice service, including certain kinds of work that are not appropriate for a government attorney to do.  For example, a government lawyer should not perform pro bono work in a substantive area that might implicate the attorney’s work or the work of the attorney’s public agency. Any pro bono policy should be discussed and approved by the agency head of your office. 

Where can I find some example policies and procedures about government lawyers doing pro bono work?

Examples to draft or update your office’s pro bono policy include decades of federal and state government efforts that are successfully combatting the myth that government lawyers cannot participate in pro bono work:

What are some basic parameters that I should think about in drafting a government office policy on pro bono work for Indiana lawyers?

A well-crafted government office pro bono policy might include:

  • An introduction about the purpose of the policy, the why and how of the policy’s adoption
  • A recognition of attorney pro bono responsibilities under RPC 6.1, including that government agencies and offices might impose stricter standards than those imposed by the rule.
  • A definition of pro bono service
  • Reference to applicable government laws and rules on workplace ethics. E.g., in Indiana, ethics laws for state government employees are found in I.C. 4-2-6 and 42 IAC 1. For local government lawyers, codes of ethics may be found in local ordinances, codes, regulations, or policies.
  • The process for approval of pro bono activities
  • Accounting for attorney time devoted to pro bono work. Professional time spent on pro bono work: Government lawyers will be required to make up the time spent on a pro bono case or effort if the case required attention during regular work hours. As such, flexibility in a work schedule may allow the attorney to compensate the public agency for any time spent on a pro bono case during the normal wok day, provided the employing agency consents to this arrangement.
  • The government office responsibilities for volunteer pro bono work by government lawyers (e.g., that pro bono work must not interfere with official duties and responsibilities, that official government work must be given top priority, that all potential or apparent conflicts of interest must be prevented)
  • Use of government resources for pro bono work (e.g., no government supplies or equipment shall be used for pro bono work; no government administrative support shall be used for pro bono work)
  • Clear statement about the volunteer lawyer’s identification as a government lawyer acting in a non-government capacity
  • A statement and procedure about how potential or apparent conflicts of interest will be assessed and resolved
  • A clarification that the government office does not provide professional liability coverage for pro bono work and direction about how volunteer government lawyers might acquire professional liability insurance
  • Effective date and sunset date, if applicable.
Once a government agency or office pro bono policy is in place, what are best practices to encourage government lawyers to participate in it?

Surveys suggest that a government office or agency coordinating with a particular pro bono project that seeks to accommodate government lawyers can be very helpful. For example, providing opportunities outside of working hours, providing a location to meet with clients, or finding an area of law that does not present a conflict of interest to the lawyers or the government agency might make the opportunity to volunteer pro bono time and expertise more compatible with a government lawyer’s professional responsibilities. Additional incentives: leadership, mentorship, practice, appreciation, connection, joy. See, e.g., Supporting Justice V: A Report on the Pro Bono Work of America’s Lawyers (2025).

If I volunteer for a legal advice clinic or take a case from a civil legal aid organization, will I be covered by their malpractice insurance, or will I have to provide my own coverage?

Most civil legal aid organizations in Indiana that use pro bono attorneys will provide malpractice coverage for those attorneys. Some of these polices provide first-dollar defense for their volunteers; other polices provide coverage that is secondary to any malpractice coverage the attorney may have through their law firm.

Which civil legal aid organizations provide malpractice insurance coverage for their volunteers?

The following civil legal organizations in Indiana have said that they provide malpractice insurance coverage for their pro bono volunteers:

If you work for an Indiana-based civil legal organization that provides malpractice coverage for its volunteers, but you don’t see your organization on this list, please let us know

Do you guarantee that these organizations provide malpractice insurance coverage for their volunteers?

Although we try to keep this list up to date, things may change. Don’t assume that the organization you want to work with will provide coverage for a specific pro bono opportunity, even if it is on this list.

Every prospective volunteer should verify coverage, and whether that coverage will be primary or secondary, before starting a specific volunteer opportunity. Volunteers can do this by checking the organization’s profile on IndianaProBonoNetwork.org, or asking the organization directly.

I already have malpractice coverage, either personally or through my employer; if I volunteer, which policy will cover me – mine or the organization’s?

The answer depends on whether the civil legal aid organization’s policy is “primary” or “secondary” to your coverage. “Primary” coverage means that the organization’s policy will cover first if there is an issue. “Secondary” coverage means that your policy will be responsible for coverage, with the organization’s policy providing supplemental coverage; if you don’t have separate coverage, then the organization’s policy will be primary.

The following organizations offer primary coverage for their volunteers:

  • Indiana Legal Services
  • Pro Bono Indiana

Other organizations may also provide primary coverage; you should verify what type of coverage the organization provides for its volunteers.

I have a client sitting in my office, and I would like to take their case pro bono. Can I get malpractice coverage for this case, or do I have to rely on my own coverage (if I have it)?

If you have a client you want to assist pro bono, but you want (or need) support from a civil legal aid organization, you may be able to get a “reverse referral.” To do this, contact your local pro bono or civil legal aid organization before you start working on the client’s case, ask what their process is for doing a reverse referral, and promptly submit the required information. The organization will screen the client and case to be sure that they are eligible for that organization’s services and, if eligible, refer the client back to you as a pro bono matter.

The following organizations have said that they would consider doing a “reverse referral” if the case and client meet their eligibility requirements:

  • Ability Allies
  • Indiana Justice Project
  • Indiana Legal Services
  • Pro Bono Indiana
  • Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana
I would like to hold a legal advice clinic for a church or community organization I am involved in. Can I get malpractice coverage for this event?

Maybe. Some civil legal aid organizations are open to providing insurance coverage for legal clinics presented by private attorneys and community groups, and may be willing to provide expertise, materials, and even help with recruiting volunteers or publicizing the event. Organizations that have done this in the past include:

  • Pro Bono Indiana
  • Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana
I took a pro bono case from one of the organizations you listed, and now that client is threatening to sue me. What do I do now?

Contact that organization immediately and let them know what is going on. They will notify their carrier, who will take it from there.

I agreed to do a case pro bono, and the client is unhappy with my services, but I didn’t get a “reverse referral”; can I get coverage now?

Probably not. Coverage must have started before the issue arose. You will be responsible for providing coverage.

I am retired, and I purchased malpractice insurance tail coverage before I left. Can I still volunteer?

Maybe – it will depend on the terms of your tail coverage policy. Some tail coverage policies prohibit any future legal work; others simply won’t cover any future legal work. You should contact your insurance agent or provider to verify that you are able to provide pro bono services without jeopardizing your prior coverage.

What types of pro bono activities are reportable under Rule 6.7?

Not all activities that qualify as “pro bono” under Rule 6.1 qualify as “reportable” under 6.7. The only activities that have to be reported are:

  • Legal services provided “directly” to persons of limited means, either for free or for a fee less than 50% of the attorney’s “normal” hourly rates; and
  • Financial or in-kind donations to qualified organizations that serve persons of limited means, or that provide financial support to organizations that directly serve persons of limited means.

In contrast, activities intended to improve the law, the legal system, and/or the legal profession, or legal services provided to an organization rather than an individual, would not be considered direct services to an individual, and therefore are not reportable under Rule 6.7, even though they meet the definition of pro bono under Rule 6.1.

Does everyone have to report their pro bono activities?

Only the following categories of attorneys are exempt from the reporting requirement:

  • Members of the judiciary or judicial staff;
  • Government lawyers prohibited by statute, rule, regulation, or agency policy from providing pro bono legal services; and
  • Retired and inactive attorneys, even if they hold an active Pro Bono Publico license.

Everyone else must complete the reporting fields as part of their annual registration.

I don’t remember what I did for pro bono last year. What do I do?

Estimates are okay. Just make your best guess!

I didn’t do any pro bono last year. What do I do now?

If you aren’t exempt, and you didn’t perform any pro bono services or donate to a qualified organization, just enter -0- into those fields, then sign up for a pro bono opportunity now so you don’t have to enter -0- next year.

Do pro bono services rendered independently of a program qualify as pro bono for reporting purposes?

Absolutely! Accepting clients and opportunities through an organized pro bono program has many benefits, but is not required. As long as the services are being provided directly to individuals reasonably believed to be of limited means, and either there is no expectation of payment or the work is done at a substantially reduced fee, it counts toward your reportable pro bono hours.

As a government lawyer, am I exempt from reporting my pro bono service to the Indiana Supreme Court in conjunction with my annual registration as a member of the Indiana Bar?

Maybe, RPC 6.7(a)(4) provides an exemption to any pro bono reporting obligation for government lawyers who are prohibited by statute, rule, regulation, or agency policy from providing legal services outside his or her employment. If you are not prohibited from providing pro bono legal services outside of your government employment, you are obligated to report your annual pro bono hours, even if the number is zero.

As a government lawyer, am I exempt from reporting my pro bono service to the Indiana Supreme Court in conjunction with my annual registration as a member of the Indiana Bar?

Not necessarily. As a government lawyer, RPC 6.7(a)(4) may provide an exemption from reporting your pro bono hours devoted directly to an individual or individuals of limited means. Specifically, if you, as a government lawyer, are “prohibited by statute, rule, regulation, or agency policy” from providing legal services outside of your employment, then you are exempt from reporting. If no law or policy prohibits you from providing legal services outside of your government employment, you are required to report pro bono hours spent in providing legal services directly to individuals of limited means, whether the number of hours is zero or 100 or somewhere in between.

Note: if you are a government lawyer employed by a judge or a court, you are exempt from reporting without limitation.

As a government lawyer who is a member of the judiciary or judicial staff, am I exempt from reporting my pro bono service to the Indiana Supreme Court in conjunction with my annual registration as a member of the Indiana Bar?

Yes, RPC 6.7(a)(4) provides a blanket exemption to any pro bono reporting obligation for lawyers who are members of the judiciary or judicial staff.

Is there a difference between public interest legal service responsibilities of RPC 6.1 and pro bono work required to be reported by RPC 6.7?

Yes. The public interest responsibilities encouraged by RPC 6.1 casts a wider net of activities than the reporting requirement of RPC 6.7. The latter makes clear that the Indiana Supreme Court’ reporting requirement gathers “only a subset” of the pro bono public interest work encouraged by RPC 6.1.

What resources are available on your website?

This website provides a range of resources for attorneys and other pro bono legal professionals, including practice manuals on various legal issues, links to on‑demand and upcoming live CLEs, pleading and discovery templates, checklists, and client-facing forms to help address legal needs.

Why do I have to register to use these resources?

Registration is required because many of our materials, particularly templates, checklists, and practice documents, are intended exclusively for individuals with legal training and experience. These resources are not appropriate for use by unrepresented litigants. For individuals without legal representation, Indiana Legal Help provides forms and legal information that have been specifically developed and vetted for use by the public.

Who is allowed to have access to these resources?

To access these resources, you must be a licensed Indiana attorney, a current law student or law school graduate preparing to take Indiana’s bar exam, or other professional providing legal services in Indiana under the supervision of a licensed attorney. “Licensed Indiana attorney” includes attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions and registered in Indiana as a Pro Bono Publico attorney.

How do I get access to the website’s resources?

To request access, complete and submit the “Request Access” form on this site and confirm your email address. Your request will then be reviewed and the information verified before access is approved. This process may take up to five (5) business days.

I need help with my legal issue; can I use your resources?

No. The resources on this site are intended for users with formal legal training and experience and are not appropriate for unrepresented litigants. Individuals seeking help with their own legal issues should visit Indiana Legal Help, which provides forms and legal information specifically developed and vetted for use by the public.

Who qualifies for pro bono legal services in Indiana?

The general definition of “poverty law” is representation of a client that “does not have the financial resources to compensate counsel.” For real world applications, we look to Indiana’s civil legal aid organizations and their rules and guidelines for determining eligibility for their services.

Each civil legal aid organization has their own rules for what types of clients and cases they can and will accept. These rules are dictated by grant funders, organizational priorities, and availability of legal professionals to provide the services.

Typical eligibility factors include:

  • Financial, such as the applicant’s household income and available assets;
  • The type, difficulty, and urgency of the legal issue presented;
  • Residency and/or jurisdiction;
  • The applicant’s citizenship or legal residency status; and/or
  • If the applicant is a member of a special population, such as veterans, LGBTQ, or over 65 years old.

Of course, not everyone that qualifies for civil legal aid services will get them, because there are simply not enough legal aid attorneys to meet the need.

What is considered “low-income”?

“Low-income” for civil legal organizations goes deeper than just not being able to afford legal services. Being “income-qualified” means that the person meets approved specific income and documentation requirements, and these requirements may vary by the type of client, the type of services, and who is funding the program.

Most organizations use the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to determine eligibility. In this model, annual household income must be below a certain percentage, typically between 125% and 200%, of FPG. Some organizations just look at gross income; others allow certain deductions, such as rent, medical bills, or child care, when determining eligibility. For example, an individual with a household of four applying for assistance from an organization that requires gross household income under 200% would qualify with household income under $62,000, while the same individual applying to an organization that uses 125%, but allows deductions, cannot have more than $39,000 of annual household income remaining after the allowed deductions.

Some programs use state median income figures to determine eligibility. This is more commonly used for housing assistance programs, but legal assistance programs funded by a housing agency, such as HUD or the IHCDA, may be required to follow HUD’s income restrictions.

Other programs, such as programs that serve veterans, the elderly, and victims of domestic violence, may have no income restrictions at all, although applicants must meet other, non-income requirements to be eligible for services.

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