An act to promote pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors of domestic violence
PL 115-237 (S.717), enacted 09/04/2018

132 STAT. 2447 
PUBLIC LAW 115–237—SEPT. 4, 2018 
Public Law 115–237 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To promote pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower survivors 
of domestic violence. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pro bono Work to Empower 
and Represent Act of 2018’’ or the ‘‘POWER Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Extremely high rates of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, and stalking exist at the local, State, 
tribal, and national levels and such violence or behavior harms 
the most vulnerable members of our society. 
(2) According to a study commissioned by the Department 
of Justice, nearly 25 percent of women suffer from domestic 
violence during their lifetime. 
(3) Proactive efforts should be made available in all forums 
to provide pro bono legal services and eliminate the violence 
that destroys lives and shatters families. 
(4) A variety of factors cause domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and a variety of solutions 
at the local, State, and national levels are necessary to combat 
such violence or behavior. 
(5) According to the National Network to End Domestic 
Violence, which conducted a census including almost 1,700 
assistance programs, over the course of 1 day in September 
2014, more than 10,000 requests for services, including legal 
representation, were not met. 
(6) Pro bono assistance can help fill this need by providing 
not only legal representation, but also access to emergency 
shelter, transportation, and childcare. 
(7) Research and studies have demonstrated that the provi-
sion of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, and stalking reduces the probability 
of such violence or behavior reoccurring in the future and 
can help survivors move forward. 
(8) Legal representation increases the possibility of success-
fully obtaining a protective order against an attacker, which 
prevents further mental and physical injury to a victim and 
his or her family, as demonstrated by a study that found 
that 83 percent of victims represented by an attorney were 
Pro bono Work to 
Empower and 
Represent Act 
of 2018. 
Sept. 4, 2018 
[S. 717] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
15:46 Jan 17, 2024
Jkt 079194
PO 00000
Frm 00965
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2018\GOVINFO FILES FOR ERIC\PART 2\79194PT2.001
79194PT2
whamilton on LAP1Z6H6L3PROD with STATUTES
132 STAT. 2448 
PUBLIC LAW 115–237—SEPT. 4, 2018 
able to obtain a protective order, whereas only 32 percent 
of victims without an attorney were able to do so. 
(9) The American Bar Association Model Rules include 
commentary stating that ‘‘every lawyer, regardless of profes-
sional prominence or professional workload, has a responsibility 
to provide legal services to those unable to pay, and personal 
involvement in the problems of the disadvantaged can be one 
of the most rewarding experiences in the life of a lawyer’’. 
(10) As leaders in their legal communities, judges in district 
courts should encourage lawyers to provide pro bono resources 
in an effort to help victims of such violence or behavior escape 
the cycle of abuse. 
(11) A dedicated army of pro bono attorneys focused on 
this mission will inspire others to devote efforts to this cause 
and will raise awareness of the scourge of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking throughout the 
country. 
(12) Communities, by providing awareness of pro bono legal 
services and assistance to survivors of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, and stalking, will empower those sur-
vivors to move forward with their lives. 
SEC. 3. DISTRICT COURTS TO PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT EVENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a period of 4 years, 
the chief judge, or his or her designee, for each judicial district 
shall lead not less than one public event, in partnership with 
a State, local, tribal, or territorial domestic violence service provider 
or coalition and a State or local volunteer lawyer project, promoting 
pro bono legal services as a critical way in which to empower 
survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and 
stalking and engage citizens in assisting those survivors. 
(b) 
DISTRICTS
CONTAINING
INDIAN
TRIBES
AND
TRIBAL 
ORGANIZATIONS.—During each 2-year period, the chief judge, or 
his or her designee, for a judicial district that contains an Indian 
tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304)) shall lead not less than one public event promoting 
pro bono legal services under subsection (a) of this section in part-
nership with an Indian tribe or tribal organization with the intent 
of increasing the provision of pro bono legal services for Indian 
or Alaska Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, and stalking. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—Each chief judge shall— 
(1) have discretion as to the design, organization, and 
implementation of the public events required under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) in conducting a public event under subsection (a), seek 
to maximize the local impact of the event and the provision 
of access to high-quality pro bono legal services by survivors 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and 
stalking. 
SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 
OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS.—Not later than October 30 of 
each year, each chief judge shall submit to the Director of the 
Administrative Office of the United States Courts a report detailing 
Deadline. 
Time periods. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
15:46 Jan 17, 2024
Jkt 079194
PO 00000
Frm 00966
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2018\GOVINFO FILES FOR ERIC\PART 2\79194PT2.001
79194PT2
whamilton on LAP1Z6H6L3PROD with STATUTES
132 STAT. 2449 
PUBLIC LAW 115–237—SEPT. 4, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 717: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 163 (2017): Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 164 (2018): July 17, considered and passed House, amended. 
Aug. 15, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
each public event conducted under section 3 during the previous 
fiscal year. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1 of each year, 
the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts shall submit to Congress a compilation and summary 
of each report received under subsection (a) for the previous 
fiscal year. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—Each comprehensive report submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of how each 
public event meets the goals set forth in this Act, as well 
as suggestions on how to improve future public events. 
SEC. 5. FUNDING. 
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall 
use existing funds to carry out the requirements of this Act. 
Approved September 4, 2018. 
Analysis. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
15:46 Jan 17, 2024
Jkt 079194
PO 00000
Frm 00967
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\STATUTES\2018\GOVINFO FILES FOR ERIC\PART 2\79194PT2.001
79194PT2
whamilton on LAP1Z6H6L3PROD with STATUTES