by Dave Zvenyach

Pro bono work does not always involve litigation; in fact, among the most important contributions pro bono attorneys can make is to help individuals and organizations avoid the need to resort to judicial processes.

During our 2019 Summer Forum, we will hear from a panel of public-interest attorneys who have been working with clients to improve their governance, contracts, and compliance; help small businesses grow and thrive; and advocate for better policies to promote good government and better policy outcomes for vulnerable populations. And, importantly, the panel will address how lawyers can volunteer to make a difference!

The panel will be moderated by Susan Hoffman, a Washington Council of Lawyers board member, Public Service Partner at Crowell & Moring, and soon-to-be-installed President of the D.C. Bar. Although Susan has a litigation background, her wide-ranging experience with advocacy and nonprofit work will help set the stage for a rich discussion about how lawyers can make a difference outside the courtroom.

Susan will moderate the following panelists, who have incredibly diverse backgrounds and perspectives on the subject of transaction and non-litigation pro bono work:

Nicole Austin-Hillery (Human Rights Watch)

Nicole Austin-Hillery is Human Rights Watch‘s inaugural U.S. Program Executive Director, and former Director and Counsel of The Brennan Center’s Washington, D.C. office.

Darryl Maxwell (DC Bar Pro Bono Program’s Community Economic Development Project)

Darryl Maxwell is the Assistant Director for the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s
Nonprofit Legal Assistance and Small Business Programs and manages the Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic.

Jim Joseph (Arnold & Porter)

Jim Joseph is the co-chair of the Arnold & Porter‘s Tax practice and Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Walter Smith (DC Appleseed)

Walter Smith is the executive director of DC Appleseed and former Special Deputy Corporation Counsel at the D.C. Office of the Corporation Counsel (now the Office of the Attorney General).

Learn more about these opportunities—and how to find others like them—at our 2019 Summer Forum, on Thursday, June 20, from 12:00 – 2:30 at Georgetown University Law Center. The event includes lunch, a keynote presentation by Washington Lawyers’ Committee Executive Director Jonathan Smith, and the opportunity to attend one of six breakout panels, including the Non-litigation Practice panel. Register now!

Dave Zvenyach is a member of Washington Council of Lawyers Board of Directors.