A federal judge is looking for volunteer lawyers to help several families and individuals being sued in a civil rights case involving Ursuline High School.

Judge Benita  Pearson issued an order Monday stating the court is actively seeking "pro bono" counsel for defendants who do not have an attorney. Pro bono is a legal term that means a lawyer provides services for free to people who cannot afford them or who otherwise lack representation.

The court has already contacted several lawyers to see if they will take the case. The volunteer attorneys would have a limited role, helping the unrepresented defendants during upcoming settlement talks and helping them respond to a new version of the legal complaint.

The court has scheduled a full mediation conference for Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. Mediation is a process where a neutral person helps both sides in a lawsuit try to reach an agreement without going to trial.

Before that meeting, Magistrate Judge Carmen Henderson will hold a series of telephone calls on Jan. 20 with the lawyers and defendants to learn more about each side’s position.

Judge Pearson told the defendants who do not have lawyers to expect a message from an attorney soon. She ordered these defendants to respond quickly to any such messages. If they do not hear from a lawyer by Jan. 20, they must email the court's staff.

The lawsuit was started by families using the names "Doe" and "Roe" to keep their children's identities private. They claim that student-athletes were victims of hazing and sexual assault during football team trips in 2024 and 2025.

The lawsuit alleges that school officials and coaches failed to protect the students. The families argue this violated Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination and harassment in schools that receive federal money.

The school and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown have denied the claims. They have argued that the incidents were personal conflicts rather than legal hazing.

The judge's order was sent to several individuals listed as defendants, including Layshawna Garner, Dale Peterman, Raylette Robinson, Todd White Jr., Migdalia Sauceda, Kristen Brown, Benjamin Smith, Janell Bankston, and Michael Rice.