New Jersey Pro Bono Information

"Pro bono work is vital to our court system. One of the most cherished protections citizens have is the constitutional right to be represented by counsel."
- Chief Justice Staurt Rabner

Pro Bono Cases

In Madden v. Delran, 126 N.J. 591 (1992), the Supreme Court reaffirmed the bar’s duty to represent indigent defendants without pay where the Legislature has made no provision for the Public Defender to represent defendants who are entitled to counsel. Attorneys are assigned pro bono cases through the Administrative Office of the Court’s pro bono computer system, which maintains an alphabetical list of attorneys eligible for pro bono assignment for each county.

Other pro bono service

Attorneys who certify that they have performed at least 25 hours of voluntary qualifying pro bono service in New Jersey are exempt from being appointed to take a Madden v. Delran pro bono case for the following year. Rule 1:21-12. Organizations which provide qualifying service are listed in the Pro Bono Organizations Portal, below.

Exemptions

In addition to the performance of 25 hours of certified pro bono service for a qualifying organization, attorneys may be exempt from taking Madden v. Delran cases for other reasons, such as retirement. 2017 Exemptions from Pro Bono Counsel Assignments.

For organizations that are certified or seek to be certified

Certified pro bono service providers can be found in the Pro Bono Organizations portal link below. Pro bono organizations seeking to become certified must submit an application. Certification applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Rule 1:21-11. These applications may be made by entering information into the pro bono resource portal, then printing and mailing in the completed form to Pro Bono Organizations, PO Box 037, Trenton, NJ 08625-0037.

Required annual recertification

Beginning January 1, 2016, existing certified pro bono organizations must file an annual recertification by April 30th. Rule 1:21-11. The online annual recertification form (in fillable format) is posted on the Judiciary's Pro Bono Organization portal; click here to access that form. You may also want to review the December 14, 2015 and February 9, 2016 notices to the bar for details regarding the recertification process.

Pro Bono Organizations Portal

The pro bono resource portal below provides information about approved pro bono organizations, law school clinics, and government programs. It also provides an opportunity for entities seeking to be certified to apply for approval. Additionally, those approved entities can also complete the annual recertification starting February 1, 2016. The searchable listings include:

approved organizations for New Jersey and out-of-state attorneys who seek to perform pro bono work;
approved law school clinic programs and government organizations for law students or law school graduates to appear in court or with an agency;
organizations which qualify for fee waiver status

Click here for Pro Bono Organizations Portal

Any questions regarding the use of the resource portal, the information contained in it, or for an update on the status of a certification application can be directed to ProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov

Information about Attorney Annual Registration and Payment

The Supreme Court requires every member of the bar to annually register, update personal information, and pay the applicable fees, provide pro bono information, and certify compliance with mandatory continuing legal education. Beginning in 2016, attorneys must register online -- this allows completion of the above obligations in one convenient location.

Online Registration and Payment Center

Pro Bono Coordinators

Atlantic/Cape May
ATLProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Bergen
BERProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Burlington
BURProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Camden
CAMProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Cumberland/ Gloucester/Salem
CUMProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Essex
ESXProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Hudson
HudProBono.mailbox@njcourts.gov
Mercer
MerProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov

Middlesex
MIDProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Monmouth
MONProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Morris/Sussex
MRSSSXProBono.mailbox@njcourts.gov
Ocean
OCNProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Passaic
PASProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren
SOMProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Union
UNNProBono.Mailbox@njcourts.gov
Vicinage Coordinators
Contact Numbers

Training Information for Attorneys Receiving Pro Bono Assignments

"Attorneys who do not practice in these areas maybe concerned about performing properly when they receive a pro bono assignment. This is an understandable concern and the judiciary has provided resources to assist you with your pro bono case."
- Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.,
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts

State Parole Locations

These materials are updated periodically. Attorneys assigned pro bono cases are expected to conduct their own research on relevant issues and the most current case law.