In Re: Order Superseding All Previous Orders on the
Reimbursement of Pro Bono Attorney Expenses
In Indigent Litigation
General Order 19-03 Superseding
GENERAL ORDER 10-05
To enable counsel more effectively to represent their clients proceeding informa
pauperis, the Expense Reimbursement Fund ("Fund") allows for the reimbursement of expenses
incurred in such representation in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. The Fund shall allocate $30,000 from the Attorney Admission Fund. The Court
allocates $10,000 to the Cincinnati seat of Court, $10,000 to the Dayton seat of court, and
$10,000 to the Columbus seat of court. Future allocations will be made on an annual
basis at the discretion of the Court.
2. Disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the Clerk at the order of the Judicial
Officer assigned to the case; the maximum allowable reimbursement shall be One
Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per occurrence. Requests for reimbursement beyond this
amount must be accompanied by an explanation and approval by the Chief Judge.
3. The Court will reimburse the following categories of expenses:
a. Mileage for necessary travel beyond 100 miles from the courthouse at the location
of court where the case is pending at the then-current Government mileage rate.
b. Copying at cost or $.15 per page, whichever is less.
c. Court reporter attendance fees for depositions of essential witnesses, and
transcription fees for such depositions, if approved in advance by the Court.
d. Necessary long-distance telephone calls and postage.
e. Expert witness fees, if approved in advance by the Court.
f. Interpreter's fees and expenses.
g. Investigative services, if approved in advance by the Court.
h. Lay witness fees for attendance at depositions and mileage.
4. Requests for reimbursement must be accompanied by an explanation of necessity and
proof that the reimbursable costs were actually incurred.
5. Amounts reimbursed must be repaid to the Fund if the case is settled with a payment of
money, if fees are awarded under 28 U.S.C. § 1988 or any other fee-shifting statute, or if
plaintiff is awarded monetary damages.
6. No reimbursement is available under this Order for expenses incurred by pro se litigants
or for expense which are reimbursable under the Criminal Justice Act.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
