The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia is considering creating a list of those attorneys interested in representing pro se inmates in civil rights cases under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Bivens v. Six Unknown Names Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), or the Federal Tort Claims Act. Certain exceptional cases require the assistance of counsel. See Whisenant v. Yoam, 739 F.2d 160, 163 (4th Cir. 1984); Gordon v. Leeke, 574 F.2d 1147, 1153 (4th Cir. 1978). The Western District would like to develop a rotating list of persons who might be interested in serving as counsel for an inmate in such exceptional cases. Please note that there are no federal funds to pay counsel fees in such cases, but the prevailing party may move for a fee award where the applicable statute allows. See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b).

If you are interested in being placed on a list for such representation, please contact United States Magistrate Judge Michael F. Urbanski at 540/857-5124.