Pro Bono Appellate Program
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Self-represented litigants submit applications to the Colorado Bar Association. Program administrators screen applications for financial eligibility (as the program has an indigency requirement) and for substance (considering factors like potentially meritorious claims and vindication of significant constitutional or statutory rights). If the case is accepted into the program, the administrators circulate a case summary to the list of volunteers and usually assign the case to the person who responds first. Potential volunteers are given time to review the case materials and run conflicts before formally accepting the case. Malpractice insurance is provided for the representation; and if transcripts are needed, the program has funds that may help to defray the cost. The program also offers a mentoring component, where attorneys who are new to appeals or to a particular subject area can be matched with more experienced attorneys to work on an appeal.