Pro Se Mediation Program in Need of Additional Attorney Volunteers
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio at Cincinnati is expanding opportunities for attorneys to provide pro bono service. The Court is seeking additional volunteer attorneys to participate in its pro se mediation program whereby volunteer attorneys assist pro se litigants for the limited purpose of mediation before the Magistrate Judge.
The services of the volunteer attorney are limited to preparation for the mediation and the mediation itself. The attorney would not be obligated to conduct any discovery, prepare or respond to any motions, or bear any responsibility for the trial of the case. In line with Ohio Prof. Conduct 1.2(c) which allows for such limited representations provided they are “reasonable under the circumstances and communicated to the client,” the scope of the attorney’s assistance is limited by a written agreement which the pro se litigant is required to sign. The agreement does not establish an ongoing attorney-client relationship. The attorney’s representation ends upon the completion of the mediation, or any necessary follow-up thereto as determined by the Court. If you would like to be added to the list of attorneys willing to assist pro se litigants at mediation in the Southern District of Ohio at Cincinnati, please e-mail Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman at bowman_chambers@ohsd.uscourts.gov.
SUPPLEMENTAL PROCEDURES FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio is pleased to announce the adoption of Supplemental Procedures for Alternative Dispute Resolution for civil cases effective February 21, 2013. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a process designed to achieve early, cost-effective and fair resolution of civil cases. The Court’s program authorizes the following ADR processes
Settlement Week Mediation: A week set aside by the Court for the scheduling of cases for mediation by volunteer attorneys.
Attorney-Based Mediation: A mediation conducted by volunteer lawyers.
Judicial-Based Mediation: A mediation conducted by a judicial officer other than the judicial officer assigned to the case.
Summary Jury Trials: An abbreviated trial held before a judicial officer and an advisory jury where the parties use the advisory verdict from the jury as a basis for settlement discussions.
Referrals to an ADR process are made at the discretion of a judicial officer or at the request of the parties.
To learn more about the Court’s ADR processes, please select: Southern District of Ohio Supplemental Procedures for Alternative Dispute Resolution
Eastern Division Mediation Forms
Applications
For Initial Appointment To Pro Se Panel
For Initial Appointment To Mediator Panel
Mediator Forms
Amended Notice Setting Mediation
Training
Western Division Mediation Forms
Attorney Based Mediation Referral
Notice Setting Mediation for Mediator for Attorney-Based Mediation