DPC Implements CLE Credit Program for
Uncompensated Pro Bono Representation

From time-to-time, cases arise in the Denver Probate Court in which the help and guidance of an attorney would be of great assistance to the parties and to the Court. Maneuvering through the
procedures and the forms of the Probate Court can be an overwhelming task to the pro se litigant. In many of these instances, there is no statutory authority for the Court to appoint a State-funded attorney. These cases --- with the help and guidance of an attorney --- could move expediently through the Court system. However, unaided, they move slowly through the system while consuming a great deal of court time resulting in frustrations for the pro se parties.

Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure 260.8 sets forth the guidelines for a program that could help in these instances.  It provides that an attorney may receive continuing legal education (“CLE”) credit in exchange for uncompensated pro bono representation of a client in certain situations. The Denver Probate Court is prepared to implement such a program.

Rule 260.8 states that one (1) unit of general credit is awarded for every five (5) billable-equivalent hours of uncompensated representation provided to the client.   A lawyer may be awarded a maximum of nine (9) units of general credit during each three-year compliance period for providing such uncompensated pro bono legal representation.

How you can be involved

Licensed attorneys wishing to participate in this program may submit the following materials to sarah.solano@denverprobatecourt.org, the Court Judicial Assistant for The Honorable Jean Stewart:

• Your name, Colorado bar number, and contact information;
• A letter of interest stating the type of case you wish to represent (i.e., decedent’s estate,
  informal probate, will contests, guardianship, conservatorship, etc.); and,
• The County and court case number of two or three cases you have already handled that are:
  • similar to the types of cases you are requesting to provide legal services;  or,
  • equivalent in experience to the type of case for which you are requesting to provide legal services.

Sarah Solano will maintain a list of these requests. Judge Stewart and Magistrate Gallegos will then match these requests to the appropriate types of cases that are pending before the Court.

At the time of the appointment, the attorney must complete CLE’s Form 8: Application for CLE Credit For Pro Bono Representation or Mentoring

The completed form is then submitted to the Colorado Board of Continuing Legal and Judicial Education, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1820, Denver, CO 80202.

Your participation in this program is encouraged.

For further information, please contact Lee Cole (lee.cole@denverprobatecourt.org), Court
Administrator for the Denver Probate Court.