ABA Business Law Pro Bono Project

Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the Center for Pro Bono

ABA Business Law Pro Bono Project

Bankruptcy Pro Bono

Since 2000, consumer bankruptcy filings have increased at an alarming rate. Many bankruptcy petitions are being filed by debtors on a pro se basis. Those filing generally are the working poor or other low-income debtors - people who could most benefit from the services of an experienced lawyer. One way of improving the lives of this underserved group is to provide free or low-cost legal services to persons of limited means seeking bankruptcy assistance. This site offers resources that may be of help to programs offering pro bono bankruptcy services to persons of limited means, or to pro bono programs that are considering offering such services.

Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program Resources

Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program Starter Kit

Sample Program Resources
          Chapter 7 Attorney Manual
          Chapter 7 Training Manual (for students)
          Chapter 7 Training Manual Appendix (for students)
          Pro Bono Bankruptcy Panel Registration Form

Financial Literacy/Credit Education
C.A.R.E. - Credit Abuse Resistance Education Program

Debtor Assistance Programs
Pro Bono Center for Disability and Elder Law (Pro Bono CDEL) - Bankruptcy Partnership Initiative

Relevant Orders and Opinions

In re Gloria Reyes
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
(Debtor's pro bono counsel is not a debt relief agency)

In re "Pro Bono Services"
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
(Pro Bono Legal Counsel are not Debt Relief Agencies)
Pleading and Final Order

In re Tony Hung Dao
United State Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division
(Pro bono legal counsel is not a debt relief agency)
Select Pleadings

In re Attorneys at Law and Debt Relief Agencies
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Georgia
(Bankruptcy Code amendments applying to debt relief agencies do not apply to attorneys)

Connecticut Bar Association, et al v. US
United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut
Select Pleadings