compulsory appointment to represent indigent clients? Forum
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Anonymous posting is only appropriate when you are revealing sensitive employment related information about a firm, job, etc. You may anonymously respond on topic to these threads. Unacceptable uses include: harassing another user, joking around, testing the feature, or other things that are more appropriate in the lounge.
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Anonymous User
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compulsory appointment to represent indigent clients?
I am not sure this is the correct place to post this, but it does relate to legal employment. I work as in-house counsel for a F500 company. The local circuit court in my town recently passed an order that all new attorneys must be on the court appointed list to represent indigent clients. Anyone else ever deal with something like this? I know firms and some states may have pro-bono requirements, but this court is requiring ALL new attorneys to be on this list in my county. I work in a highly specific area of federal law. I would have no clue how to handle a criminal case. Also, I worry a little because my department has attorneys that are barred in various states. I would be the only one with this requirement to handle indigent cases. Wonder if that could impact future opportunities? Thoughts?
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albanach
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Re: compulsory appointment to represent indigent clients?
I think many or most places have the power to do this.
Obviously you'd have ethical issues if you're asked to represent someone on something really serious, but still they're likely not getting a court appointed attorney unless this is a significant matter.
However you passed the bar. You're at least as qualified as a newly qualified public defender. Maybe the PDs office can offer some support?
I'd be surprised if the court made this overly burdensome, so I wouldn't expect firm issues.
Obviously you'd have ethical issues if you're asked to represent someone on something really serious, but still they're likely not getting a court appointed attorney unless this is a significant matter.
However you passed the bar. You're at least as qualified as a newly qualified public defender. Maybe the PDs office can offer some support?
I'd be surprised if the court made this overly burdensome, so I wouldn't expect firm issues.
