Federal Pro Bono Project

Providing legal help and pro bono representation to litigants without lawyers in the Northern District of California, San Francisco and Oakland Divisions.

Need Legal Help?

This site is for lawyers and others who are interested in volunteering with the Federal Pro Bono Project. If you are looking for legal help in federal court, you may contact the Legal Help Center at 415-782-8982.  You may also visit either of the Legal Help Center's offices at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 15th Floor, Room 2796, San Francisco, CA 94127 or at 1301 Clay Street, 4th Floor, Room 470S, Oakland, CA 94612.

Interested in Volunteering?

Check out our Information for Prospective Volunteers.

What is the Federal Pro Bono Project?

The Federal Pro Bono Project (the "Project") is a joint effort of the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  The Project arranges pro bono counsel for litigants who are referred for appointment of counsel by the Court.  Appointments through the Project may be for full-scope or limited-scope representation, and may be made at any stage of litigation.  Cases may involve any cause of action that can be heard in federal court, including prisoner civil rights and employment discrimination claims.