WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF LAWYERS

By Nancy Lopez This year is our 45th anniversary. When we got started back in 1971, we were run entirely by volunteers. Arnold & Porter's Marsha Tucker, winner of our 2016 Legacy Award, was one of those volunteers, and she soon assumed many of the responsibilities for running the organization. Indeed, for many years our mailing address was Marsha's office at Arnold & Porter. Marsha has made sustained, significant contributions to Washington Council of Lawyers, improving the organization by leaps and bounds along the way. As one of our board members observes, "it is hard to think of Washington Council of Lawyers without seeing Marsha Tucker in the background quietly figuring out what needs to be done and making sure it happens." (more…)

By Tanya Senanayake With immigrants and vulnerable communities facing unique threats, it's as important as ever to stay focused on equality and access to justice. And at times like these we need more people like CAIR Coalition's Kathryn Doan—winner of our 2016 Presidents Award for Public Service. Kathy has served immigrants for more than twenty years, and has fought hard to get justice for members of underrepresented communities. (more…)

By Amy Senier Katrina Rouse, is a Trial Attorney at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the winner of our 2016 Government Pro Bono Award. It's easy to see why: She has an uncommon commitment to pro bono work. Since she learned about DOJ’s Pro Bono Program when joining the government in 2011, she has handled six pro bono cases from the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic, drafted two wills through the D.C. Bar-Bread for the City Pro Bono Wills Clinic, and volunteered several times at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center's Advice & Referral Clinic. Katrina makes a point of taking on at least one pro bono case per year. And “if that case gets dismissed quickly, I take another. It is my personal commitment to being a good resident of the city.” (more…)

By Jim Rubin Thomas “Skip” Mark, winner of our 2016 Legal Services Award, has served many and achieved much as a managing attorney at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. Indeed, he's spent his entire career helping others and expanding access to justice. (more…)

Dechert, winner of our 2016 Law Firm Award, encourages all of its lawyers to do public-interest work. The firm maintains 26 offices around the world, and each office follows the passions of its lawyers and pursues pro bono work that is vital to their communities. (more…)

By Cheryl Polydor "Think globally, act locally." The two increasingly have become one in this age of the global village and the global economy. Local lawyers and judges interested in promoting justice beyond U.S. borders now can do so without leaving home. They also can work directly in the field—whether that means traveling to rural Mexico or North Darfur, Sudan. (more…)

Every year we give out awards to recognize lawyers and firms who provided exceptional pro bono and public-interest service. This year's Awards Ceremony will take place on December 1, and we're pleased to announce this year's winners: (more…)