Reading Room Document

Government Lawyers' Pro Bono Activities in the District of Columbia

Attorneys employed by the federal government are barred by 18 U.S.C. § 205 from participating in any case in which the District of Columbia is a party or has a direct and substantial interest. Conclusion of 1970 opinion that federal attorneys may not represent even on a voluntary basis indigent persons asserting claims against the District, affirmed. The OLC does not provide release dates for its opinions, so the release date listed is the date on which the opinion was authored. The original opinion is available at www.justice.gov/file/24626/download.

November 3, 1980