The Pro Bono Panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit was created in 2005 so that counsel would be available to appoint in cases in which the Court determines that litigants would benefit from such representation, but they are ineligible for appointment of counsel pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act and cannot afford counsel. Sua sponte or on a pro se appellant's motion, panel members are appointed in civil appeals presenting issues of first impression or complex issues of law or fact or otherwise raising potentially meritorious claims. Substantive issues include prisoner civil rights, discrimination, immigration, labor and employment, Social Security, and tax law.

Pro Bono Panel applicants must be admitted to, and members in good standing of, the Second Circuit and must have at least three years of appellate experience. They serve three-year terms.

Application and instructions are available on the Court's Web site.