Pro Bono Cases

(Updated 4/8/25)

Alaska Legal Services, Inc is seeking Pro Bono attorneys for the following legal issues. Our low income clients depend on your service to access justice, meet their basic needs, preserve their families, and thrive in our community. All Pro Bono attorneys must register as a volunteer at https://www.alsc-law.org/become-a-pro-bono-volunteer/.  If you have questions about any of these cases, please contact Autumn Smith-Amy at asmith@alsc-law.org.

Debt Collection/Bankruptcy
Low income families seek debt collection relief and review for and/or assistance with filing for bankruptcy.  Case Numbers 0134722, 0133654, 0135806, 0133653, 0135844, and 0134744

Adoption
Paternal great-aunt wants to adopt two children who have been residing with her as a relative provider since 2023. Bio parents are no longer in the State. No opposing parties to the adoption.  Case Number 0140484

Miller’s Trust
Elderly Alaska Native client in rural region needs a Miller’s Trust to access Medicaid Benefits. Case Number 0138175.

Adoption
Low-income client has cared for a minor child since the mother’s death; the father is in prison and signed a POA for the child that expires in November of 2025. Client wants to adopt the minor child. No opposing parties to the adoption.  Case Number 0138899

Public Benefit Cases
Volunteer attorneys are needed for status conference at the Office of Administrative Appeals via Zoom or Conference call on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am to 12pm representing ALSC clients in SNAP/Medicaid/APA/Heating Assistance delays and denials.

Volunteer attorneys are still needed to assist clients with filing Fair Hearing requests in SNAP/Medicaid/APA/Heating Assistance legal issues. 

Volunteers Needed – Landlord and Tenant Helpline

Volunteers are needed to join ALSC’s Landlord and Tenant Helpline team to cover shifts Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm. One evening a month, calls are forwarded directly to your phone – allowing you to conveniently volunteer from anywhere.  Volunteers answer questions from tenants and landlords about their legal rights and responsibilities. Calls last an average of 20 minutes. Training and support are available to all volunteers.

**We are especially looking for volunteers each month on the:
     4th Wednesday
     4th Thursday     
     5th Monday and Wednesday

(Updated 12/31/24)

Real Estate Case
Widow of school aged children in a rural region seeks a Real Estate attorney that can assist her with settling a property dispute and needs an attorney willing to negotiate a financial settlement’. Case 0128286.

Probate Case
Rural client seeks assistance in probate of relatives death including assistance with death certificate and negotiating payment plan for release of cremains. Case 0129036. 

Divorce, Child Custody, and Child Support Case
Rural client seeks attorney willing to provide advice and counsel with Divorce, Child Custody, and Child support. Case 0130311. 

Native Law Adoption Case
Alaska Legal Services Inc is seeking a pro bono attorney experienced in adoption for a client who has been a relative caregiver for two children for quite some time. The client has been denied crucial benefits to support the children due to lack of adoption and needs to be able to receive benefits the children are eligible for to maintain their wellness and home. This is a Native Law case involving more than one Tribe unopposed to the adoption(s).

(Updated 4/11/2025) 

The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) provides legal help to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serving on a statewide basis, ANDVSA’s pro bono volunteers are put to work taking full cases, serving as mentors, doing legal research and answering the Information and Referral Hotline. ANDVSA is renowned for its critical on-call mentoring assistance, extensive written resources (including an Alaska-specific Volunteer Family Law Manual, American Bar Association Family Law practice manuals, and sample pleadings), and live and prerecorded training opportunities. Additional benefits to volunteers include malpractice insurance, case cost coverage, and the assistance of paralegals and shelter advocates.  For more information about ANDVSA, please contact Katy Soden at ksoden@andvsa.org or fill out ANDVSA’s volunteer attorney application form. 

PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES

1. “Mom unwilling to let her kids leave the country.” Anchorage divorce/custody/protective order case.  Long-term PO hearings 4/15/25; divorce status hearing 4/15/25.  Client seeks help with divorce, custody and protective order cases.  4 kids.  DV to client includes attempted strangulation, financial control, threats to take children out of the country.  OP alleges client has committed DV, which client denies.  Very limited property to divide. 
2. “Breaking the cycle.” Kenai divorce/custody/protective order case. Cases not yet filed. Client seeks help with filing divorce, custody and protective order cases.  4 kids. DV includes assault.  OP has serious substance abuse issues; he is currently out of state and may be challenging to locate.  Property limited to one car. 

Any questions and/or interest in the above cases, please contact Katy Soden @ 907-297-2791 or ksoden@andvsa.org.

Client seeks pro bono attorney for affirmative asylum case. Client experienced multiple violent attacks for her political opinion and membership in a particular social group. Limited English proficient (French-speaking) client. Must be filed by July 28, 2025.

Please contact Anna Taylor at anna.taylor@akijp.org or (907) 279-2457 with any questions.

(Posted 12/5/2024)

(Updated 03/18/2025)

Please contact (907) 258-0044 for current volunteer opportunities.

(Updated 4/8/2025)

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Pro bono attorneys are needed to represent federal prisoners in civil rights cases.  Pro bono attorneys would be helpful in navigating discovery, motions practice, any possible settlement conferences, and trial.

If interested, please contact Rebecca Cervenak, Pro Se Law Clerk, United States District Court, District of Alaska at  (907) 677-6214 or Rebecca_Cervenak@akd.uscourts.gov

Actively seeking criminal defense attorneys for the District of Alaska’s Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel.  The United States District Court could not fulfill its obligation under the Sixth Amendment to indigent defendants without an active CJA Panel.  The Federal Public Defender administers the CJA program and is committed to ensuring CJA Panel members receive resources and support necessary to provide effective and zealous representation.  We strive to ensure CJA Panel attorneys are appointed to sufficient cases to maintain expertise in federal criminal law and procedure.  Admission to the CJA Panel depends on meeting the minimum requirements outlined in the District’s CJA Plan, and other factors, including experience; expertise and language skills; input from references; other relevant information obtained from the application and during the review process.

Reasons to join the CJA Panel

• Improve the Criminal Justice System while gaining valuable courtroom experience.
• TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING – Too many opportunities to list – monthly trainings and annual Boot Camp focused on new and experienced federal practitioners.
• Connect with colleagues – receive updates, court news, and share useful information through the Listserv.
• CJA Department resources assist with locating experts and building your trial team.
• Not pro bono – you will be paid for your services promptly and efficiently.
• No need to wait fees or expense reimbursement – interim payments are encouraged.
• Alaska Federal Defenders and experienced staff available to assist and can provide excellent substantive and procedural advice.
• Mentorship program available for both mentors and mentees.
• No obligation to accept a case, but plenty of opportunities for representing those in need.

Please submit applications by January 15, 2025.  The CJA Panel Selection Committee meets annually in March.  To request an application, please contact:

Jamie McGrady, Federal Defender, District of Alaska (jamie_mcgrady@fd.org)

Monica Colbath, CJA Resource Counsel (monica_colbath@fd.org)

Sonja Belau, CJA Panel Administrator (sonja_belau@fd.org)

(Posted 11/26/24)